The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1913-10-14
NEW PLACE
FOR PROUTY
He Will Leave the Inter
state Commerce Com
mission
TO HAVE CHARGE OF
R. r. VALUATIONS
Patrick j. Farrell Of Yer
mont Mentioned as Pos
sible Successor

Washington, Oct. l4.--Charles A.
Prouty, the New England member of
the interstate commerce commission,
will resign his membership in that body
to become director of the bureau of ply
steal valuation OF the commission. Judge
Prouty expected TO see President Wilson
yesterday and announce his intention to
resign. The position Of director is
filed by the commission and the salary
viii be $4,000, or $4,000 per annum,
against the $4,000 OF q member of the
interstate commerce commission. This
consideration, however, has had no in
auenee on Judge Prouty, who is man
of means, Ii has long been understood
among his intimates that he would de-
cline reappointment to- the commission
Tor the seyen-year term beginning in
December, 1914, and when his present
term expires. Judge Prouty, although a
Republican, was appointed to the COM
mission in 1896 by President Cleveland.
He represents the highest grade OF abil-
ity that ever has seen service on the
commission and his withdrawal would
be a distinct loss TO the country, were
he not TO continue in service in another
line. The plan of ascertaining the phys
ical valuation of the railroads OF the
country never has received the enthus-
iastic approval of the members of the
commerce commission. Men
inside the commission and out of it have
held that physical valuation, in view of
changing circumstances and other fac
tors, could supply no scientific basis for
4 ha al af rad
plan was engineered through Congress
by Senator La Toilette of Wisconsin.
The investigation viii cost perhaps
twenty million dollars and cannot be
for several years. Its value
is predetermined or not, according TO the
point of view.
Judge Prouty has regarded the LaFol-
cite plan probably with less disapproval
than some OF his colleagues. He may
even have thought well of it. However
that may be, he has regarded the pro-
posed investigation as great work, and
his willingness to take charge of this
work and to apply to it the benefit of
his years of experience as member OF
the interstate commerce commission
and the rare powers OF his legal mind,
will tend to encourage public con-
tidence in the idea which might be lack
ing were the investigation TO be made
mere perfunctory task. 1t is believed
that not only will the new work gain
IN public estimation through the asso-
.iation OF Judge Prouty with it, but
that the railroads will appreciate the
value to their interests of having man
in charge of the work whose fairness as
/ member of the interstate commerce
has never been questioned.
a volume might be written of the rail-
road cases in which Judge Prouty has
been a deciding factor. His browning
work undoubtedly was his recent de-
,ision relative to the New England rail-
-oad situation so broad and strong and
that it promises of itself to
preclude the necessity of a government
,nit to institute a reorganization of the
New England roads and to serve as a
guide for future arrangements. The
lights OF the public and OF the railroads
yer have been evenly balanced in the
mind of Judge Prouty and both parties
o future contests before the commits
lion will feel that they have lost a use
Ill adviser by his retirement.
VI AVhty otti |
cave vacancy on the interstate COM |
nerce commission, which presumably |
will be filed by a New England, or at |
east an eastern man. Three men are |
,nown to have had aspirations for the
hair of Judge Prouty, although two
lever would have been active candidates |
or his seat as long as he chose to occupy |
t. Patrick J. Farrell of Vermont; chief |
ounsel of the interstate commerce COM
mission, is regarded generally as without
superior as a transportation lawyer.
lis heart is in his work and he is a
nan so little given to personal promo
ion that he would hardly permit his
Iame to be mentioned in connection with
his vacancy were it not brought about
" the voluntary action of Judge
'routy. Mr.. Farrell commands the es-
eem and respect of all railroad counsel
before the commission, and
hould he be honored with promotion it
! believed that all interests appearing
efore the commission would be content.
ar. Farrell is supposed to be Demo
rat, although the complexion of his pol
tics never has been considered enough
o warrant any statement upon this
ofnt