The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1913-09-28
WIDEST POWERS FOR
INTERSTATE BOARD
Measure Planned Gives COmmis.
sion Right to Regulate
Train Speed.
DRAFT OF BILL Is READY
Heavy Penalty Provided for vio'
lation Of Far Reach.
ing Orders.
DRAFT OF BILL Is READY

wAsHiNoroN, Sept. 17.-A rough
draft has been compistsd Of the bin
which will be introduced in Congress CIV.
ing the Interstate Commerce Commission
plenary power to regulate the equipment,
safety devices and actual running con-
ditions Of the railroads Of the United
States.
Legislation OF this character u favored
by the Interstate Commerce Commission
and the bill now framed Ia based upon
the views and suggestions Of of'sctals Of
that body. The bill II being whipped into
shape by Representative Stevens OF New
Hampshire, who 10 chairman Of the sub
committee Of the House Committee on In
terstats Commerce and who has been ap-
pointed to consider legislation safeguard
ing the lives Of passengers on the railroads
Of the country.
Under the terms Of the bill the Inter-
state Commerce Commission will have the
widest possible powers In this direction.
They will be able not only to compel the
railroads to maintain their equipment ana
roadbeds at q certain standard but also
will be able to regulate the speed Of pas
senger trains. A prison penalty Is pro-
vided for officers who violate the orders
Of the commission.
At present the commissions recommen-
dations Of this character are not obliga-
tory upon railroads. The commission con-
tends that the railroads have ignored
It's findings, and the commission, IN the
matter Of protecting the lives Of passen-
gers. now hnds itself In practically the
same predicament that confronted II in
regard to rates before II obtained ads-
Quate authority 70 enforce IT, Tuiinga.
II 10 acknowledged that the passage Of
the legislation now proposed will mark
an epoch in tho history OF raiiroading In
the United states and Eill be the most
radical step In the extension OF Federal
regulation that has been taken since the
passage Of the railroad rate bill.
Draft ef the Measure.
THE SUN IL able to present the draft Of
this important meAsurA
That the lntsrst Scemnassos Com.
missien sAaJ1 have p aas. u sAaii b
its duty upon comtlalnt, or upon Its
own motion. without complaint, to inves.
tisate the rules. regulations. practices
or conditions obtaining upon the railroad
Of any common carrier. and II after such
investigation Il shall be shown that any
rule. regulation. practice. conditions,
equipment, track. roadbed or structure
used for or In connection with the opera.
ton Of any train or car In interstate
commerce shall be unsafe. II shall call
tn. said common carrier or carriers on
a day to be fxed by the commission TO
show cause why such rule. regulation.
practice or condition shall not be rom
edied. amended. modified, or other In.
should not be perfected In
tho manner and to the extent to which
the commission shall md the same a
be necessary to insure the safe transpor-
tation Of passengers and employees. After
full hearing the commission shall issue
such order as. In its opinion. may be
necessary to require such common car
riers TO establish and maintain such safe
! uies. regulations. practices. conditions,
equipment. rOadbed, tracks. structure or
other matter ~ IN Its opinion may be
desirable.
Heavy Penalty Provided.
THAT any common carrier. It's officers.
agents or other persons connected d.
rectly or indirectly with the management
and operation Of its trains In interstate
who shall refuse to comply
with the order Of the Interstate COM
meIce Commission In connection herewith
shall be guilty Of nisdemeanor and
upon conviction thereof shall be SUBJ
jected to fine OF not less than $1,000 or
for not more than one year.
or both; provided that for continuing
violations each day shall be deemed Q
separate offence"
The bill makes It the duty of the
United States District Attorney to begin
and Jurisdiction is conferred
upon the United states District Court to
Issue injunctiOns
Interstate Commerce Commissioner
McChOrd already has conferred with
Wilson and Attorney General
In regard to legislation Of
this character. lie was the Commis-
sioner who conducted the Investigations
Into the New Haven wreck and who wrote
tho recent report condemning the directors
Of that railroad. II is understood that
the members Of Congress who are round
|ng the bill into hnal form preparatory TO
10 introduction have conferred with him
and other ofiicials of thu commission.
The proposed legislation will raise an
issue In Congress which 10 likely to cause
~ much discussion and opposition as the
railroad rate legislation dur
nE President Rooseveit'a Administration.