The Washington times., 1910-01-07
Enlarged Powers of Govern
ment Over Common Car
riers Is Urged.
SPECIAL MESSAGE
SENT TO CONGRESS
Administration Moves Toward Car
rying Out Of the Roosevelt
Policies"
By JOHN sNURE

President Taft sent to Congress
today his long-expected special mes
sage dealing with additional legis-
lation for the control Of railroads
and other common carriers, with the
operations Of the Sherman anti
trust law, and with the Federal IN
corporation Of industrial companies
The message was read in the
House this afternoon. Owing 10 the
fact the Senate has adjourned until
Monday, Z viii not be set before
that body until the first Of the COM
ing week.
MOST IMPORTANT YET.
In many respects the message
which went to Congress TO-DAY Is
the most important Which the Pres
ident has yet sent TO Congress II
embodies the ideas Of the Admins
tratiOn on the further control OF
railroads and common carriers and
on the control Of corporations, ideas
which have beer evolved after manv
conferences aaC consultations with
Attorney General Wickersnam ana
other Cabinet members, with mem
bers OF the Interstate Commerce
Commission, with members Of F7s
Senate and House, with representa-
tives Of the shippers and OF the
railroads. and with various public
men
Expects Approval
The President believes that his rscor,-
mendations viii meet the approval Of
the country, ana win slew that he IS
living up 20 his promises TO carry for
ward the Roosevelt policies He has
been promised the support Of the Sen
ate and House leaders In getting his
recommendations enacted into Law
S. eraI days ago. the President had
a con renee with six Of ths lesdfnz
railroad presidents Of the country, IN
which he was urged 70 modify his rail-
road recommendation. The President
was net moved By that conference 20
make material changes IN his program.
as tie message Of today indicates He
consented TO make certain notifications
o. the proposed oau for the further rezu-
1azi,s1 OF the railroads. but these do not
appear 10 have been such as 70 pre-
vent the legislation he Is asking fer
from being drastic and far-reachinz-
II the Presidents recommendation
for additional railroad legislation are
enacted, the powers Of the Interstate
Commerce Commission over the car
riers viii be enormously Increased The
Presidents friends IOint out. and n this
they are correct that the railroad leg
fsIatiOu the President asks Tor goes
much farther than that President ROOse-
welt obtained The President in his
message takes the ground that If the
interstate commerce laws are amended
as he advises. the Interstate Commerce
Commission VIII have a satisfactory
measure Of control over the carriers.
Des MONIES Speech.
In q general way, the Presidents In
terstate commerce recommendation are
along the lines Of the speech he made
IN Des Moines- he advises Congress
that Attorney General TF5ckersham has
prepared a bin eubodying his recon-
mendations for this legislation, and that
TN has also been prepared providing
for the Federal incorporation OF indus
trial corporations These bills are pIa--
I'd at the disposal Of the proper com
mittees of Congress.
Most important Of the recommenda-
tiOus Of the President for additional in
terstate commerce legislation are these
That the United States Court OF
Commerce" composed Of FIVE judges. bs
esta blished. TO have exclusive original
jurisdiction over interstate comnercs
litigation.
That the Interstate Commerce Com
mission be given power 10 control the
ca capitalization Of railroads and other
carriers.
That the commission be given author
ity to initiate complaints. that right nov
being confined 10 shippers
That the commission be given author
q rate until IL has investigated and de-
terminsd whether The increase IS war
ranted-
That carriers be permitted to make
traffic agreements subject 10 the ap-
prOval of Jhe commission
That carriers be required on request
BY an Intending Skipper 70 quote cor
rect freight rates.
That the Ioterstate Commerce Com
mission be given power 10 control
freight clsssihations-
That shippers shall nave the right 70
choose between two OF more establish
Continued on Sixth PaEs9