Missouri Valley times. [volume] (Missouri Valley, Iowa) 1874-1931, 1913-10-30
CLARK CONDEMNED
BY RATE EXPERTS
FOR HIS REMARKS
Hint He Thinks Railroads Are
Entitled to Higher Freight
Rates Preiudices Case,
They Say.
CLOSE VOTE ANTICIPATED
Iowa Member of Interstate
Commerce Commission
stirs Up Criticism
Officials Meeting.

3Shlngt0n, u. e., OCT. 3o.--A State-
fuent by Chairman Clark of the Inter
state Commerce commission limiting at
tfe fact that he thinks the railroads
ought to get higher rates is bitterly
condemned privately by many state
commissioners. They say it is un-
pardonable for the head OF a great
body to seem to prejudge u case.
\ meeting of state commissioners. OF.
the middle west was held today to
choose representative to appear in
the rate increase cases and take q
stand against increases. State Com
missioner H. S. Martin of Kansas VIII
probably be the man.
When Commissioner Clark, who is an
Iowa man, from Cedar Rapids. was ap-
pointed some of the state commission
ers protested to Senators Kenyon and
Cummins that he was president of
railroad and ought not be named. The
senators, however, were unwilling to
oppose Clark. who In some ways was
valuable on the commission. They re-
called that he had voted against the
previous general advance in rates. 1t
Is believed the commission, which is
split, will not sustain Clarks views.
1t is asserted ON high authority that
majority of the commission Is hold
ing it's opinion in reserve, but Is In
s'lined against the increase. Commis-
sioner Prouty will retire to take charge
nf physical valuation before the con-
troversy is decided. The action OF
President Wilson in selecting man to
succeed Prouty will be of much i'm
portance.
A states right discussion as relating
TO the powers of individual states to
regulate railroad rates. was precipi-
.,ntion of the National Association of
RailM commissioners.
Mr. Clark's View.
In an address to the railway COM
rnissioners yesterday chairman Clark,
of the Interstate Commerce commission
declared that ideal transportation con-
ditions could not be attained without
an increase in rates.
AN ideal transportation situation
can be attained only by large additions
TO the facilities and great improve
1nc,t in Methods said Chairman
Clark ",rhe added facilities can be
obtained only through expenditures
from. surplus earnings or from eX-
pansion of credit. In either way the
total cost to purchasers of transporta-
tion would be Increased
Even if 1t be true that the present
financial condition of transportation
agencies is due to reckless or even dis
honest financing in the past, it would
# reprisal. which would impair the
usefulness or efficiency of the car
risrs on which the welfare-the very
9ife--of the commerce of the country
depends"
Hot Fiaht Precipitated.
Commissioner l.. Il. Finn. after read
ing a paper on the subject. Should
Congress Extend the Power OF the Fed
-ral Government to the Regulation of
Intrastate rates?" in which he opposed
such extension of power offered res
-,lution in accordance with his views on
the subject.
The resolution was about to be adopt
ed when Commissioner John H. Marble
vigorously objected to the adoption Of
so important a resolution without con-
sideTation. He was strongly seconded
by Counsel Barrow. of the Louisiana
commission, who declared that on ac-
count of the action of the Texas rail-
road commission which developed the
Shreveport case. now being heard by
the supreme court. ruin is staring the
people of Louisiana in the face and the
transportation situation in our state
has become intolerablc."
Mr.. Barrow insisted that if the pow
er of the Interstate Commerce commits
sion to remove discrimination of this
kind were not sustained the Texas
state commission soon will be making
rates for the whole southwestern terri
tory"
After some lively debate the resolu-
zion was laid on the table by vote of
70 to 10.