The Salt Lake tribune. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1890-current, 1910-07-02
Interstate Commerce Commits
sion Has No Intention of 0p-
pressing Railroads.
PRESIDENT AND KNAPP
HOLD LONG CONFERENCE
Increased Rates Not to Be Sus-
pended Unless Clearly
Shown Unreasonable.

BEVERLY, Mass, July 1.-Prcsdcnt
Taft had long talk today with Chair
man Knapp of the interstate commerce
commission regarding the administra-
tion of the railroad rate law.
At the conclusion of the interview it
ity given to the commission by the new
statute is not to be used arbitrarily
TO hinder the railroads in the conduct
of their legitimate business. The pow
er to suspend new rates, probably the
most direct weapon placed IN the nands
of the commission. is to be used only
III exceptional eases.
Chairman Knapp told the president
the commission had already refused an
application under the new law for a
suspension of Increased rates on horse
vehicles and automobiles.
He said there was nothing on the face
of things to show the new rates were
unjust or unreasonable.
Will Not Be Harsh.
The interstate commerce commission
will not attempt to fix definite rates
for the railroads and the power of
when q preliminary hearing gives indi-
cation that they are excessive,
From time to time since the new
law went into effect there have been in
dications that some OF the big railroads
have been considerably worried as TO
the extent and the manner in which
the rate regulating clauses or the new
law would be employed by the com
mission. Stock maDipulators 1u Wall
street, the administration had been in
formed, were trying to trade upon this
doubt.
1t can authoritatlvely be stated that
it was never intended that the new law
should be used as club, The commits
sion Will not "run amuck' and will do
nothing to ieopardize the interests OF
investors.
Mr. Taft was pleased to find that
the commission already had Its plans
well mapped out and that its views of
the new statute coincide thoroughly
with those Of the trainers of the bill.
II is felt it would be great impedi-
ment to the railroads to have every new
rate suspended and put through the
eleven months period of determination
as TO It's reasonableness.
Extended Discussion.
Chairman Knapp discussed this fea-
ture Of the law with the president and
cited the refusal of the commission to
suspend the automobile and vehicle
rates as an indication that the power
Of suspension is not to be used indls-
crimlnately-
Further information regarding the
interview between President Taft and
Colonel Roosevelt yesterday tended to
confirm the reports of last night that
the visit was almost wholly of q per-
sonul and social nature.
President Taft today expressed re-
gret to several of his callers over the
defeat iii the New York assembly of
the Cobb direct primary bill which was
advocated by Governor Hughes and
publicly indorsed by Colonel Roosevelt.
President Taft's vacation IS not to
begin until after his strenuous doings
of July 4, when he will motor into
Boston and stop at several cities on
the way. When he is through with this
engagement he is to go into seclusion
for ten days, Mr., Taft viii summon
his cabinet officers from time to time
as he reaches their affairs, The navy
and the interior departments are first
TO be considered. The interior depart.
ment matter under consideration is con
uected with the expenditure of the
$50 900 900 reclamation fund.
The president, with some friends, en-
.joyed a sail on the Slyph this after
noon,