Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1910-07-02
USE OF POWER
TO SUSPEND RATES
Interstate Commerce Commits
sion viii Invoke 1t Only in
Exceptional Cases.
KNAPP SEES THE PRESIDENT
Discuss Matter at Lcngth-Ncw Law
Never Intended to be Used
As a Club.

Beverly. Mass, July 1.-Prest. Taft
had a long talk today with Chairman
Knapp of the interstate commerce
mission regarding the administra-
ton OF the railroad rate law.
At the conclusion OF the interview II
was made plain that the added author
ity given to the commission by the
new statute is not to be used arb
trarily to hinder the railroads In the
conduct of their legitimate business
The power to suspend new rates, prob
ably the most direct weapon placed
in the hands OF the commission, is
to be used only In exceptional cases
Chairman Knapp told the president
the commission had already refused an
application under the new law for
suspension of increased rates on horse
vehicles and automo biles
He said there was nothing on the
face OF things to show the new rates
we're unjust or unreasonable.
The interstate commerce commission
will not attempt to fix definite rates
for the railroads and the power of
suspension will be applied only 20
rates when preliminary hearing
gives indication that they are ex-
cessive.
From time to time since the new
law went into effect there have been
indications that some of the big rail-
roads have been considerably worried
as to the extent and the manner in
which the rate Regulating clauses Of
the new law would he employed by
the commission stock manipulators
IN wall street the administration had
been Informed. were trying to trade
upon this doubt.
NEW LAW Is NOT A CLUB.
II can authoritatively be stated that
1t was never intended that the new
law should be used as a club. The
mission will not run amuck' and
will do nothing to teopardize the in
terests of investors.
Mr.. TAFT was pleased to find that
the commission already had IT'S 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 Il would be a great i'm
Vediment to the railroads TO have
every new rate suspended and put
through the II months period OF de-
termination as to its rcasonableness'
Chairman Knapp discussed this fea-
ture Of the law with the president and
cited the refusal Of the commission TO
suspend the autom obile and vehicle
rates as an indication that the power
Of suspension Is not TO be used indis-
crminatcly.
Further information regarding the
Interview between Prest Taft and Col.
Roosevelt Yesterday tended TO confirm
the reports OF last night that the visit
was almost wholly OF a personal and
social nature.
Prest Taft TODAY expressed regret to
several Of his callers over the defeat
I'm the New York assembly of the
Cobb direct primary bill which was
advocated by GOV Hughes and pub
liclv Endorsed by Col. Roosevelt.
PRIEST Tnft's vacation Is not to begin
until after his strenuous doing of
l.. .aaNl lNNs. 10 fFNNs
and stop at several cities on the way.
When he Is through with this engage
ment he T. to go into seclusion for
~ DAYS Mr.. Taft will 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
connected with the expenditure Of the
100000 0O0 reclamation fund.
The president. with some friends. en-
loved a sail on the Slyph this after
noon.