Evening star., 1913-12-19

mum allowable speed Of trains on all
roads should be established at safe
limit, and 1t should not be left entirely
to the Judgment of enginemen to deter
mine whether or not this limit is ex-
ceeded.
"Inasmuch as the only purpose Of inves-
tigation," the report continues. rs to
learn the true causes OF accidents, so that
such causes may be eliminated as fully as
practicable. 1t is manifestly impossible for
the commission fully to accomplish such
purpose unless empowered by law to en-
force its recommendations. Furthermore.
the commission should be authorized to
conduct independent investigations with
respect to all matters affecting the safety
Of railway travel, the object being to pre-
vent accidents as far as possible rather
than. as at present, merely to point out
the causes of accidents after their OCCUR
renee. There is particular need for an in
vestigation of the conditions surrounding
the use of steel rails and car wheels upon
railroads.
Commissions Recommendations.
Among the important recommendations
for new legislation are the following:
That one period be fixed for the begin
ming of all actions relating to transporta-
ton charges. and that that period be with
in three years from the completion Of the
service as to which damages are claimed.
That carrier which fails to demand
payment of charges for any transporta-
tion service within "a period of ninety
days shall be deemed guilty Of giving a
rebate to the shipper.
That all suits brought to enforce or set
aside orders of the commission be direct
ly under the supervision Of the commits
Sncf ~
ton Of the Department Of Justice, and
that the commission be charged primarily
with the duty of. presenting such cases in
court subject to the right of the Depart
ment of Justice or private individuals to
tereSts.
That the commission be authorized to
make orders. after investigation, respect
ing the construction and maintenance of
the physical properties of railroads en-
Saged In interstate commerce and rules
and regulations pertaining to the use and
operation of such properties.
Ihat the commission be given control
and supervision over railway capitaliza-
ton.
That, further to minimize the danger of
accidents, the commission be empowered
Ito require the use of block signal sys-
TENS and to require the adoption and use
of steel or steel underframe cars in pas
Senger service
That explicit authority be given the
commission to examine all books and pa
pers of common carriers subject to the
law.
That the commission be relieved of all
duties under the parcel post law, cor
that such duties and the standards to
be applied be more clearly stated
The report gives some consideration to
the law providing for physical valuation
of railways Up to the present time it
has not been possible to do more than
prepare an outline of the plans for the
great task of valuing American railroad
property.
The report shows that the work of the
commission increased tremendously in
volume. Scores of violations of the law
by both carriers and shippers were in
veStigated. In this connection the re-
port says that 1.-The false billing of freight
by shippers continues" 1t is pointed
out that sel.C.ts abuses of transit priVi-
leges by both carriers and shippers con-
stitute a continuing evil. remedy for
which is being worked out by the COM
mission.
lect from shippers certain demurrage
charges was made the subject of many
investigations, because this is regarded
by the commission as one of the most in
Sidious forms of rebating. Stress also is
laid upon violations of the anti-paSs law,
but the report indicates that these are
becoming less and less frequent