The Washington times., 1911-03-17
Why Adamson is Opposed for the Chairmanship

bond supervision, and did not mention
the grant of power to the commission
to suspend rate upon its own motion
and initiative, while the Russell-SimS
report approved both Of these PROPOSE
tions.
The Adamson report. on the subject of
the stock and bond supervision, said:
This proposed legislation for the
regulation of stocks and bonds certainly
tends to restrict investment by impair
ment of credit and discouraging new
railroad enterprises, and will retard the
enlargement of transportation facilities
which the country so demands, Even
outside OF that view the Inauguration OF
such a policy applicable to the regula-
ton of our railroads certainly will dis
courage the construction of new and
Independent lines of railroad, for such
railroad would be without established
character, and with only limited cap
ital stock, necessarily relies on getting
credit to build its line. Such policy Is
extremely paternalisttc.'
Interstate Commerce Law Report.
The Russell-Sims report on this sub
ject said:
I'VE also approve those sections OF
the bEI adding new features TO the in
terstate commerce law by which the is
suance of stocks and bonds by railroad
corporations subject to Federal regula-
ton is safeguarded and controlled"
on the subject of thesexsensiun OF the
power of the Interstate Commerce Com
mission to enable 1t to suspend a rate
on its own initiative, which was by far
the most important feature of the Mann
bill, the Adamson report was silent, as
far as specific terms go, while the Rus
sell-Sims report said:
Several amendments very beneficial
to the public are contained in section
9, among which Is the power conferred
upon the Interstate Commerce Comn1is-
h.. Aa NV r1f
new rate. fare or charge, or any new
classification or practice, whether upon
complaint or upon its own initiative,
and which further empowers the COM
mission to suspend the rate, charge, or
classification pending such hearing for .
period of 40 days beyond the time when
the rate, fare or classification would
otherwise take effect, and which also
grants to the commission the power TO
make such an order as to the rate,
charge or classification as may be just
and reasonable, either before or after
the rate. charge, or classification may
be in effect"
The Mann bill was vitality amended
in the House while under consfdera-
ton, and the combination of progress
sive Democrats and Republicans who
perfected the bill did not at any time
look to Mr.. Adamson for leadership,
although by virtue OF his position he
while the debate continued. AS Mr..
Adamson at all times declared his
desire to defeat the whole bill. those
progressive Democrats who were ad-
vocating q good bill. as they saw IL
sought other leadership.
Progressive Democrats. who are ac-
quainted with Mr.. Adamson's record
are telling members OF the Ways and
Means Committee that the elevation
of this man to the chairmanship or
the most important legislative COM
mittee in the House would mean the
destruction of the confidence Of the
progressive thought of the country
IN the intentions and purposes of the
Democratic majority in the House of
Representatives
II Is argued that his senioritv.
earned by virtue of appointments made
by Republican speakers, ought not to be
considered by the Ways and Means.
Committee in the face of the fact that
Mr.. Adamson Is out of sympathy with
the country and out of harmony with
his party on matters of legislation
that would fall in the province of the
Interstate Commerce Committee