The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1912-12-06


stantial restora ton OF competitive con-
ditions in a Vsry large Industry, which
have not for long time heretofore eN-
istod"
Objections 20 the Commerce Court.
in the judgment of Dir. Wickershaui.
would be met by legislation requiring
this Interstate Commerce Commission
10 state in its report. as basis for it-
order. the findings Of fact and The rea'
sons on which the order is based. pro
yiding that all finding OF fact and CON
illusions Of policy appearing in the
report shall be anal and conclusive;
and limiting court review exclusively
TO qus stion. OF law arising upon the
comm ssions report
AS q result of the decision Of the Su =
preme Court holding that the Com
merce Court has no power 10 review
so-cslled negative" orders OF the In
usrstate Commerce Commission, the At
torney- General recommends that the
law be amended 80 that the Commerce
Court will have jurisdiction TO review
all errors Of law in respect - ordeTs
OF the commission which deny relief
70 shippers or others. just e. the court
now has power 10 review orders grant
ing relief The practical result OF tha
lief against errors OF law by the com
mission il limited TO the railroads and
denied TO the shippers
VIII submit Case to Courts.
In connection with the suit against
the Lehigh Valley Railroad Company
under the commodities clause OF the
Interstate Commerce act. because OF
its alleged ownership and transporta-
10
Coal Company. the Attorney-GeneraI
saws that the subsequen, action OF
the railroad company in organizing
the Lehigh Valley Coal Sales Company
will be submitted to the court
soon 70 determine whether the sltCa-
ton now satisfies the demands OF the
law as interpreted by the Supreme
Court.
THE situation Is. he continues.
that coal which j. shipped over tue
Lehigh Valley Railroad is mined os
the Lehigh Valley Coal Company. an
CT whose stock is owned by the ran
road company. and ~ sold al the
ereakers TO the Lehigh Valley Coal
sales Company. ALI Of whose stock
has been originally issued to and dis
tributed among the stockholders OF
the railroad company. pro rata but
which company has separate omces
from the railroad company. and sep
arate directors. and whose stock may
be sold BY the stockholders without
regard 10 their continued holding OF
stock in the railroad company By
this ARRANGEMENT both the railroad
company and the coal companies seem
TO have parted IN good faith with ttle
20 the coal before transportation be
sins. and il is claimed therefore. that
&.
hIbition OF the commodities clause as
construed by the Supreme Court"
The Attorney General announces his
Intention Of soon fling suits ia equity
against the Southern Pacific Railroad
Company and others for the recovery
Of vast areas of petroleum gearing
lands in California said to be worth
more than $500. 100000. The ieg;sle-
ton under which the patents were
granted to the railroad company. ne
says. excepted mineral lands other
than iron or coal lands. The railroad
company contends. according to the
Attorney General. that the exceptions
in the patents are void
To Protect Citizens
To investigate and preserve the
rights o. the government to the
sources OF water supply for the stu
peadous reclamation projects. con-
structed or in contemplation. Mr. Wick
eTsham strongly recommends an ap-
preparation 10 employ az adequate
force OF lawyers Pointing out tia :
ianunerabIe claims inevitably will be
lodged against the government, con-
TESTING It's riEht - selected water
sources, he says tre welfare OF the
citizens who have stsked their for
tunes on the success OF these enter
0r = -
nient demand immediate action
The Department OF Justice. inciud-
ing the Offices % the Attorney General
and ali the United states attorneys
ras bc<u On pas ing basis durins
President Taf;'s term 81 Office. accord
Ing 70 fsurcs submitted IN the report
surplus o. nearly s3-59c.0oo over ex-
,.euxes having been turned into the
Federal Treasury To. he four years
ended June 90 last. the department
! collected sit--Ieese through suits and