Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1910-03-11
MAJORITY REPORT SAYS
TAFT RAILWAY BILL IS 0. <.
Reviews All the Points in the
8 Administration Measure
Before Ii
CRr Arcsisted Pre.s.l

WASHINGTON. March 1-''Carefully
preserving the principles so clearly enun-
riated in the Republican platform OF
ISIS is the way the majority OF the
senate committee on interstate commerce.
which made its report today on the ad-
rninistratiou railroad bill. interprets the
provision to permit common carriers 10
enter into traffic agreements.
Il The report is signed by Senator's Elkins.
CtilRoma. Aldricl. -Nean. Crane and Nixon.
3ard VIII Re printed with the minority re-
mort submitted a few days ago by SEN
-ators Clapp and Cummirs. and the lndl-
vfdual report OF Senator Newiands.
- Approval OF the court OF commerce tea-
tare is given. prominence. although com
u,ents upon other provisions Is far more
interesting. For instance. the report says
that the effect OF the traffic agreement
propositiOr Is to relieve carriers from the
provision Of the antitrust act while pre-
eerriue unirnpaired the control OF the
Interstate commerce commission over all
srcn agreements. II is declared that the
provision Is in exact compliance WIKI
the declaration in the Republican plat
form
AFTER quoting the clause OF the platform
concerning such agreements, the report
on AGREEMENTS.
The contention that this declaration
. can only NE EOmnlAtu Will ~
the approval of such agreements by the
Interstate commerce commission before
thew become operative. is. in the opinion
az che committee. destitute of the slight
est fouudat tun.
s .sThe section in Question carefully preA
serves the principles clearly enunciated
! in the platform. and only by wllful as
tortion OF language could II De conIehI ..
thar this carefully guarded provision IN
vowed any abandonment OF the principle
Of competition between naturally COM
petirg lines
rndorSinr the proposed court OF COM
MERGE the report says that the princlpal
argument in favor Of its creation Is tnat
II will prevent selay and confusion IN the
enforcement Of the law by creating one
tribunal -especIally versed in the compl-
rated and often technical questions aris-
ing out OF the application of the inter-
state commerce law to railroads and otn-
or carriers subject TO the act.
. Supreme court rulings are cited IN sup
mort Of the contention that the scope OF
review OF the commissions orders IN the
court viii not De wider than ~ Is i,oM ..
the circuit courts. IL is contenoed that
ro,,rts ought not to be endowed with
merely administrative powers such as arr
Involved in the exercise of the commis-
.for.x discretion The claim that there VIII
nor be enough business 70 keep the trl-
h1fna1 occupied IL not SERIOUSLY consul
sred ny The commission
AToRNEY GENERAL EMPOWERED
The administrator bill gives the attor-
nev general entire charge and control OF
t5ss Interests of the government IN all
cases and proceedings in the court OF
commerce and IN the supreme court m
anueaIed cases This is change from
tha existing law. The committee says
that the present situation combines in the
members OF the interstate commerce conf
mission the functions OF investigator,
Judge and prosecutor. which Is declared
"a be contrary 10 the correct theory OF
law or procedure
Commenting upon the provision for in
vestigation by the commission OF propos-
ed increases in rates. the report says
that a majority Of the committee Is oil
opfufon that the commission should be
authorized to commence the investiga-
tion OF a proposed increase in rate. or
change in classification as soon as IL is
fled. Tile majority support also the prop
-oSitiou that at any time before the rate
or classification will become effective the
commission should be empowered to post
poue the effective date for a reasonable
period TO enable it to investigate the
proposed action