The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1910-06-08
SENDS MESSAGE
|. ON RAILROAD BILL
Taft Wants Senate To Give Com
merce Commission Power So Dispute
Over Rates Will End.

WASHINGTON. June RECON-
mending that the provision Of the
railroad bill giving the interstate
commerce commission power 10 sus-
pend increased railroad rates pendins
an investigation be made enecuVe
upon passage, President Taft today
sent a special message TO congress
outlining the situation in the rail-
way rate dispute which has been tn
subject OF conferences In the White
| House.
The message was prepared after
the president had spent more than All
hour in conference with Rep Mann.
who has charge OF the railroad bill N
the house, and Senator Crane. The
question OF the best methods OF amend
ing the house and senate bills, which
as they now stand. will not be effec-
tive until o. days after passage. was
discussed Despite the fact that
many contend that the provision. be-
ing in both senate and house bills, Is
not proper subject for the work Of
the conference committee. Rep. Mann
and Senator Crane believe that the
bill should go To conference and the
clause be altered there.
The presidents message reads
"A recent EFFORT by large number
OF railroad companies To increase
freight rates for interstate transpor-
ton OF persons and property caused
me 10 direct the encouragement TO
bring a suit and secure from the
United States court In Missouri an In
junction restraining the operation of
such increased rates during the pend
ency OF the proceedings. This action
led 20 a conference with the repre-
sentatives OF the railroad companies.
and the agreement by each OF them 10
withdraw TIE proposed increases o..
rates effective on or after June l, AMI
not TO file any further attempts at iu-
creases until after the enactment into
law OF the pending bill 10 amend the
interstate commerce act. or the ad-
journment of congress. with the fur
Their understanding that upon the
enaot OF such law each would
submit To the determination OF the
interstate commerce commission the
question OF the reasonableness OF all
increases that each might thereafte.
propose. II Is my hope that all OF
the other railroad companies will take
like action. In order, however. that
each may have the benefit of speedy
determination whether or not its pro-
posed increases in rates are justi3-
able. provision should De made by coll
gress to vest the interstate commerce
commission with jurisdiction over
such questions as soon as possible.
In the senate amendment TO sec
ton 81 of the act to regulate com
merce. contained in II r 1885. the
interstate commerce commission Is
empowered Immediately upon the a.
ing Of proposed increase of rates
upon its own motion or on complaint
to eht3r upon an investigation and de-
termination of the justice and reason
ableness OF such increase, and In case
IL deems 1t expedient 10 suspend. the
operation thereof for a period speci-
fed in this section to enable 1t TO
complete such Investigations The
bill. however provides that the act
shall take effect and be In force only
from and after the expiration Of so
days after Its passage.
This provision IL allowed to re-
main In the bill would enable car
riers between the time Of enactment
OF the bill and the time OF its taking
effect, to file increases on the rates
which would become effective at the
expiration OF 80 days and remain In
effect and be collected from the pub
lie during the tendency Of proceed
ings to, review them. whereas IL the
bill be made to take effect immediate
ly such investigation will have to be
made before the public Is called upon
to pay the increased rate
II therefore recommend that this
latter provision be modified by pro-
viding that at least section nine Of
the senate amendment to the bill
which Is the section authorizing the
commission to suspend the going into
effect OF increases OF rates until after
due investigations. shall take effect
Immediately upon the passage of the
act.
(Signed) WILLIAM II. TAFT"