New-York tribune., 1911-01-01
JOINT R. R. BOARD PLAN
Americana canadian Agreement
Made Public.
TREATY SOON TO BE FRAMED
International Body to Have
Powers of Interstate Conn
merce Commission.

Washington, Dec. 3L-By authorization Of
Secretary Knox, the joint report Of Judge
Martin A. Knapp and j. p. Mabie, chief Of
the Railway Commission OF Canada, recon-
mending the creation of an international
commerce commission. was made public
to-day. Satisfaction is expressed that the
commissioners were in complete accord on
all questions under discussion. The essen
tial features OF the report follow;
1t is quite apparent that the existing laws
Of the United States and OF CANADA are IN
adequate for the effective control or IN
ternatlonal carriers as respects through
rates and the establishment OF through
routes and other matters which are proper
subjects of joint regulation. and that such
regulation would be mutually advantageous
10 the interests of both countries. ~ is
equally plain that the regulation TO whlch
International carriers should Do suoJected
Is substantially similar 10 that provided for
interstate carriers of the United states un-
der the substantive provisions OF the
amended act TO regulate commerce. as tne
same are defined and summarized In
draft of a proposed treaty between the
United States and Canada, which is an
nexed hereto and mace a part OF TINS re-
port The intended effect OF sucn treaty
would be TO subject International carriers,
within the limits outlined, 10 obligations
and requirements corresponding TO those
now imposed upon the Interstate carriers
Of this country.
To accomplish TIE desired result treaty
between the two countries would be pref
cradle TO concurrent legislation. and
draft of the substantial provisions Of pro-
posed treaty, emitting the formal parts Is
appended hereto and submitted for your
consideration.
As viii be seen, this proposed treaty, pro-
vides for tribunal to enforce ana ADMIN
lister Its provisions, to be known as the
international Commerce Commission,
and which shall consist of four mem bers,
Commerce Commission and the Chief Com
missioner of the Board OF Railway Com
missioners for Canada. for the time being;
member Of the Interstate Commerce
Commission, 10 be appointed by the Presi-
dent of the United States, and a member
OF the Board Of Railway Commissioners Ior
Canada. TO be appointed by the Governor
General Of Canada In Council The powers
conferred upon and authority given TO this
commission in respect of international car
riers would correspond, TO the extent indi-
Gated 10 those exercised by the interstate
Commerce Commission in respect OF inter-
state carriers within the United States.
International carriers by water between
the United States and Canada should not
be subjected to the provisions or sucn q
treaty, except when and to the extent that
they unite with rail carriers in either coun-
try I'm forming through water ano ran or
rail and water routes.
The provisions OF such treaty shoulu
amply 10 telegraph. telephone ana express
companies, and such companies snouIu pe
subject, as respects their International husi,
ness. 10 the authority OF the international
Commerce Commission.
The draft Of the treaty referred TO IN me
report was not made public. That how
ever, Is not essential to an understanding
Of the recommendations made by the com
missioners. Two features Of the proposed
treaty are notable. They provide that
claims for reparation shall not be heard by
the international commission and that that
body shall not prosecute criminal proceed
ings against shippers or carriers.
1t is the purpose OF Secretary Knox 10
submit tho treaty 70 the Senate at an early
date. with a recommendation that 1t be
ratified at the presaent session Of Congress.