New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1910-06-16
IRON The Tribune Bureeu.l

Washingtons Jure 10
NOPE THAN CLINCHING.-The pas
sage OF the railroad bill, on which the two
houses Of Congress- are about to agree, has
frequently seen referred to as a clinch1ng
of the Roosevelt policy OF federal conrol
of railroad rates, and so it is, but it is also
far more than clinching. II is long step
in advance giant stride, in fact, In the
direction of federal control of the iron
highways of commerce Not only viii the
new bill clinch all that was accomplished
in the law OF June 90, 1906, but il will pro
vide for many things which. had they been
proposed at that time, would have filed the
conservatives In both houses of Congress
with CONSERVATION and would probably have
sent the holders of railroad securities flock
ing TO the bear side of Wall Street with
rush which might have caused panic That
bill defined as common carriers express
companies and sleeping car companies as
we'll as railroads. This measure includes
telephone and telegraph companies The
old law permitted Investigations and de-
cisions by the Interstate Commerce Com
mission only when complaint had been fled
by a shipper or other person interested
The new bill permits the commission 10 In
stitute proceedings on its own motion ana
without waiting for complaint 10 be FLED.
The old law delegated TO the commission
authority only over rates and charges. The
new law Will extend that authority TO in
cllde all regulations and classifications
which may in any way affect rates or the
interests of shippers. The old law author
ICED proceedings only after a rate had gone
into effect. The new law will authorize the
suspension of any proposed rate. regulation
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eleven months pending investigation by the
commission The old law. despite the et-
forts of President Roosevelt, included
court review clause The new measure, while
not repeating that provision. meets the OBJ
jections thereto by creating a special COM
merce court which will devote its entire
attention to cases growing out of the inter
state commerce Law, and thus obviate the
tedious delays which il was feared would
result from judicial review. And one of the
most important provisions of the new law
will be the placing on the railroads Of the
burden of proof in all judicial proceedings
whereby it is sought to waive the decisions
Of the Interstate Commerce Commission,
thus relieving the shipper OF the burden Of
carrying legal cases possibly UP to the
highest court in the land. Those who real
lie how sincere and earnest was President
Roosevelt's desire TO secure for the ship
pers adequate relief from the hardships 10
which they were too often subjected must
appreciate the heartiness Of the congratula-
tions which will he extended 10 President
Taft by his immediate predecessor on the
good work he has accomplished.
RAILROAD SECURITIEs.-In the light
of the great work accomplished. only 9 few
complete irreconcilahles will be disposed to
cavfl- because the final sections Of the rail
road bfll-those providing for federal su-
pervision of the stock and bond issues of
the railroads-have not been adopted. All
who are disposed to look at the situation
from a Just rather than a faultfnding
point Of view will rejoice over what has
been achieved. while they give full weight
10 the fact that the President is empowered
20 appoint commission to investigate this
important subject. which must so seri-
ously affect the interests CT a great num-
Der of persons. the holder Of a few shares
OF stock OF a bond as well as the much
smaller class peculiarly known rs ~ ailway
rnagnstes" Such a commission as the
President may he counted upon TO appoint
will unquestionably give the subject the
most careful study. and it is reasonable to
EXPECT that out of it's work Will grow leEts-
lation Of more farreaching effect and
greater benehcence than could have result