Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-02-18
AIdrich Pronounces for the
Administration Railway Bill.
SURPRISE IS OCCASIONED
Manufacturers Urge Gentle Treat
ment of Transportation Lines.
FINAL HEARING IS. HELD
Commissioner Knapp, Before House
Committee, Criticises Some Fea-
lures of the Measure.

so far as L am concerned, am for the
administration bill without any amend
ments,' announced Senator Aldrich to-
day at executive session of the COM
mittee OH interstate commerce, following
, the final hearing on the administration
railroad bill. This statement appeared to
take Senators Cunlmins and Clapp by
surprise. and the former said he sup
posed the senator from Rhode Island had
the bill fixed up to suit himself.
Il have not fixed the bill nor have l
had anything to do with it, smilingly
retorted Mr. Aldrich.
The colloquy resulted from a request by
Mr. Cummips for hearing tomorrow,
at which he might present amendments
drawn from his bill to amend the inter-
state commerce act. 1t was announced
that hearings were not necessary for
this purpose. as he could offer any
amendments he chose as a member of
the committee.
Ii is understood that a majority of the
republican members of the committee
will accept the new amendments to the
bill drafted by Attorney General Wick
terday and to the Senate today as re-
vision of the administration measure.
Gentle Treatment Urged.
BE careful; treat the railroads
gently.
This was the injunction voiced by rep
resentative of many of the largest
manufacturers in the country at today S
hearing.
About two score heads Of large plants
which manufacture railroad supplies
attended the hearing. All are members
of the Railway Business Association.
The delegation makes no specific re-
quests for legislation or protest against
proposed legislation. They pointed out,
however, that if the railroads are az
fected adversely by the legislation AMI
have to curtail expenditures it is the
supply manufacturers that are most
affected. because orders for rails, cars
locomotives, signal systems and other
equipment are cut to the bone.
Not Sent by Railroads.
1--WE were not sent by the railroads. -
the committee was told by George A.
Post, president Of the association and
the spokesman for the delegation.
1Hcs w Hol hhoW We al hCIC.
He went on to explain that the rail-.
road supply manufacturers employ as
many men as the railroads and that
of railroad legislation than the rail
roads.
The carriers, he pointed out can worry
along fairly well even if they have to STOP
making improvements and extensions
through inability TO borrow money. But
the moment improvements and extensions
stop, he maintained, the railroad equip
ment concerns lose the largest part OF
their sales and have to lay off men.
The supply men recognized that when
public opinion had so changed as to de.
mand the abandonment OF certain GUS
toms or practices the readjustment al
ways had to bear injuriously on many in
nocent parties.
What concerns them. he said, is what
share Of the price they would have to
pay and how much of ii they would have
to pay all at once: They hoped Congress
in considering each of the numerous pend
ing provisions, would regard itself as
trustee for the supply craft as an inno-
cent party and inquire with great care
before making any enactment whether i,
might affect the ability of the railroads
to buy their appliances.
Criticism by Chairman Knapp.
The administration railroad bill was
opposed in some respects today by Chair
man Knapp of the interstate commerce
commission. who was a witness at the
hearing before the house committee on
interstate and foreign commerce. He
criticised in general and in particular the
court of commerce proposed by the meas
ure, suggesting that the powers of the
new court be limited to those already
possessed by the United States circuit
courts and that instead of allowing a
single judge of the commerce court to
stay an order of the interstate commerce
commission. to require a majority of the
court for such action.
Chairman Knapp was also inclined to
think the administration bill bit weak
in those paragraphs relating to the pro-
hibition against railroads acquiring stock
in competing lines. asserting that water
lines should be included and that holding
companies should he prevented from OBJ
tanning a monopoly OF visible means OF
transportation. He suggested that, in
stead of sixty days, provided by the
BILL the commission should be given IN
days for the suspension of rates under
| investiga ton, and said that in the mat
ter of fixing through routes over joint
| rail and water lines the bill ties the hands
/ OF the commission instead of allowing il
| to free the public from the exactions OF
the combinations that are often formed.
Exchange of Courtesies.
| Commissioner Knapp and Charma,
Mann of the committee INDUCED in an in
| terchange of courtesies on the subject o.
railway securities.
What / do not know about this sub
ject," said Mr.. Mann. would fill larg,
| library, and what l do know might be in
Guided in a small book"
| Judge Knapp bowed. II am not vair
enough. said he. TO think that l exec
the chairman of this committee in any
thing. but if l do, il is in the density o.
my ignorance on the subject of railway
securities
| The term competing line" has not beer
! dc fined as yet by either the courts of tn.
country or the interstate commerce com
| mission, Ii was brought out at the hear