The Birmingham age-herald., 1910-07-02
CHAIRMAN KNAPP
 TALKS WITH TAFT Workings of New Railroad
 Law AIe Discussed COMMISSION IS PREPARED
plans Have Already Been Made By the. Commissioners to Put the New Law Into Operation With
 the Least Delay a

Beverly, Mass, July 1.-President Taft had a long talk today with Chairman Knapp of the interstate commerce com mission, regarding the administration or the new railroad rate law. At the con- clusion of the interview 1t was made plain that the added authority given to the commission by the new statute IS not to be used arbitrarily or for the purpose of hindering the railroads in the conduct of their legitimate business. The power to suspend new rates, probably the most direct weapon placed in the hands or the commission, is to be used only In excep- tional cases.
 Chairman Knapp told the President that the commission already had refused an application under the law for a sus-
 pension of increased rates on horse ve-
 hicles and automobiles. He said there was nothing on the face of the things to show that the new rates were unjust or unreasonable. The interstate commerce commission will not attempt to fix defin- fte rates for the railroads, and the power of suspension will be applied only to rates when a preliminary hearing is given. in- dicatinE that they are excessive. In all such contested cases, the President was
 informed. the commission will endeavor
 to arrive at the facts at the earliest
 possible moment.
 From time to time since the new law
 went into effect there have been indica-
 tions that some of the big railroads have
 been considerably worried as to the ex-
 tent and the manner in which the rate regulating clauses of the new law would
 be employed by the commission. Stock manipuIators in Wall street, the admins tration had been informed, were trying to trade upon this doubt, and to make the most of the situation to their own ad- vantage.
 It can be authoritatively stated that it was never intended that the new law
 should be a club, or that it should be a means of profit-taking by bears in the market The commission will not run amuck" and will do nothing to jeopardize the interests of investors. The new law Is being carrieNs out The President feels that if is in the hands of conservative body of men, It was at his request that Chairman Knapp came to Beverly today. MT. Knapp left for Washington tonight.
 MT Taft was pleased to find that the
 
 trapped out and that its views of the new statute coincide thoroughly with those of the framers of the bill Roosevelt Is Not Talkative New York, July 1.-"Not a word, not word for anyone or anything said Theodore Roosevelt to the newspaper men as he alighted from his train to-
 night In the Grand Central passenger station.
 Are you going to Oyster Bay tonight Colonel?" was asked will you see Gov ernor Hughes tomorrow" was another question.
 q am going to the offices of the Out look where I will say nothin, and l shall leave there shortly for Oyster Bay" Mir. Roosevelt replied.
 Functual to the minute. Colonel Roose- welt arrived from Boston tonight at G o'clock on the limited train. Few per- sons recognized him as he hurried through the station. To those who did recognize him he lifted his hat. Two members of the staff of The Out look met him and all entered an auto mobile and were rapidly driven away. All Quiet at Oyster Bay Oyster Bay, July 1.-Colonel Roosevelt arrived here by automobile alone, except for his chauffeur, at 7:3O tonight. and went right to Sagamore Hill. He had no guests tonight, but expected visitors tomorrow
 Who they will be he declined to say tonisht. It is generally believed here however, that Governor Hughes will be an early visitor
 Not until next Wednesday will MT Roosevelt leave Sagamore Hill. He ex- poets to conf1ne his trips to town and summer to his weekly editorial confer eroes His new automobile has been oe- livered and he will ride back and forth in it. The colonel is as fond of horses as ever, but the speed and power ot the motor car assures a travelling pri- yacy available neither by train nor car riage.