Omaha daily bee., 1910-10-23
LAEAG POWER IN NEW LAWS
Interstate Commerce Commission II
in Strong Position.
LATEST ACT Is A CINCHEB
Commerce Court 60 Ne Appointed In
December WIN Provide Further
Restraint on Carriers - Old
Age Pensions Favored.

(From a staff Correspondent
WASHINGTON, d. c.. oct G.-The In
,srsthte Comn.toe commissioners and the
vast interests with which they have to
deal are Just beginning to realize some
thing OF the large, deep, wide powers con-
ferred upon the commission by congress
Al its last session. The commission APP
pears TO be proceeding with due caution
toward the solution OF the hrst real test
OF the law. In many instances pending
OF proposed increases in trunk line rates
the entire rate-making system Of the eoun-
try is involved. Railway managers claim
that conditions justify higher rates on
many commodities, which shippers vigor-
c'isly deny. The commission Temporarily
set aside these rates, pending investga-
ton.
Under the old law the burden Of proof
was on the shipper to show that the rate
was unreasonable. Now the burden OF
proof IL on the carrier 70 snow jusufica-
| lion for increases. Behind the questioning
Of the acts of the commission looms the
coming shadow Of the new commerce
court which win organize as soon as
President Taft appoints It's members. The
popular guess IL this will be done about
| the first OF December.
Army Men Advocate Pensions.
! The most important reinforcement 70 the
ranks OF the agitators for pensions for old
government employees comes from three
prominent army officers, Inspector GEN
| oral Darlington, Commissary General
Sharpe and Faymaster General Whipple.
They are all strong advocates of increased
pay for faithful and efficient employees Of
the government. Paymaster General
whipple has just recommended in a re-
port that the pending Redistribution bilr'
be passed by congress The bill was re-
ported last February. The three army
officers have had constant use for
civilian employees OF a high class and are
particularly appreciative of the fact that
they are hard to get and easy to lose when
! more lucrative pay outside the government
offers.
BIs Committees Are safe.
The mutations and vicissitudes Of politics
have so far but lightly touohed the bic
committee OF the two houses Of congress
which have to do with river and harbor
legislation. The senate committee on COM
heree has 80 far not lost a member out
Of it's seventeen. OF the twenty members
Of the house committee on rivers and
harbors but two--McIachlan OF California,
and TeneF OF Pennsylvania, have been
! eliminated. Inc members OF these COM
mittees always attend the meetings OF the
National Rivers and Harbors congress, and
will be on hand in full force at the next
convention, December Z, 9 ana 9. Chairman
Alexander is rounding out his first year
as head of the house committee, and II
is conceded on all sldes that he has made
most admirable chairman-accurate and
conservative. yet progressive; a man after
the heart OF the masses Of the great mem.
bershlp Of the National Rivers and Har.
bors congress.
Government Wins vital Verdict.
In an action for fire trespass on the
Black Hills nationsl forest brought by
the United States against the Missouri
River & Northwestern railroad the Jury
has awarded damages to the government
u not only for the loss Of merchandise tim
Der, but also for the destruction OF un-
merchandise young growth.
This is regarded by government officials
as establishing a very important precedent
So far as Is known at the United States
Department Of Agriculture, It 10 the first