The Dolores star., 1911-06-23
pAopoeG TO PUT THESE rRANo
soArATioN COMPANIES OUT
o. sUs,NGss.
OPPOSE PARCELS POST
CLAIM THIS 70 STGp roWAR 10
FGoeRAl CENTRAL.
lzArtoN.

Washington.--The Democratic lead.
ers In the House are opposed to the
establishment Of . parcels post and
propose to provide relief from the ex.
tortionate rates Of the express com.
panies by abolishing these agencies Of
transportation.
II they can have their way the rail-
roads will be forced by legislation TO
convey all packages now carried by
express companies at rates which will
be approved by the Interstate Com
merce Commission. 4
There have been several conferences
on this subject during the last few
days. participated In by Speaker Clark.
Representative Underwood. the floor
leader: Representative Lloyd. chair
man of the subcommittee OF the
House Postoffice Committee. and Rep
resentative Burieson Of Texas.
The leaders are opposed to the par
GELS post because they assert that II
would be another step toward the cen.
tralization Of power In the hands Of
the federal government which they do
not propose to permit. To avert what
they think would be q calamity they
have reached the conclusion that the
way to deal with the question OF the
transportation OF small packages In to
legislate the express companies out OF
existence and require the railroads to
perform the work they now do.
| Before any action can be taken In
this AisscsiOa Tho ability q the rail.
roads to handle the business now
done By the express companies must
be established. A few days ago MT.
Burleson introduced . resolution In
the House directing the Bureau Of
Corporations to investigate the com
panies and their relations with the
| railroads.
Under the law creating the Bureau
OF Corporations II In forbidden to deal
with transportation agencies. Mr..
Burleson therefore win confer with the
Interstate Commerce Commission, and
~ a result expects to modify his reso.
tuition so that the commission will be
| instructed to conduct an investigation.
In this shape II will be passed by the
House.
The Investigation will be conducted
with the particular object OF ascertain.
ing the capitalization Of the express
companies and the present market val.
lie and actual consideration paid for
their stocks and bonds In money. the
value of their physical properties and
the assessed value Of the same by
cities, counties or states: the relations
OF their officers with railroads. how
bonds of an express company are
owned or controlled by railroad com.
panies or other express companies.
the causes OF the excessive Transports.
ton rates charged for express: wheth.
or the companies are using their
funds TO oppose the establishment OF
parcels post. and finally whether any
agreements exist between the express
companies or between the companies
and the railroads In restraint Of trade
Mr.. Burleson said that express com
panies constitute form OF graft upon
the American people. When they
were organized II was for the purpose
Of enabling the officers Of the rail.
roads to get something on the side"
The Texas member sees no reason
for the existence Of express com.
ranies In view Of the fact that the rail.
roads are amply equipped 10 supply
this service under proper govern.
mental regulation.