Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-06-11
Law to Bridge Gap Between
State and Federal Juris-
diCti0n Planned.
DOUBT THAT DEMOCRATS
WILL FAVOR LEGISLATION
Fear Grows That There Are Some
Hard Times Ahead Of
the Carriers.
BY N. o. MESSENGER.

BY N. o. MESSENGER.
Representative Willis of Ohio, repub-
lican member of the committee on in
terstate and foreign commerce. already
has begun preliminary work upon pos
sible legislation in the direction sus-
gested by the Supreme Court in the
Minnesota rate case, to bridge the gap
between federal and state control of
railway rates He will not be alone III
this. for the subject is attracting wide
spread attention among legislators and
many. it is predicted. soon will take it up.
Utmost Importance is said to attach to
the subject, and the opinion is held in
influential circles at the Capitol that
the situation resulting from this de-
cision and the cure pointed out by the
Supreme Court may create new and
lively political issues for the future.
That action will be demanded by the
business interests of the country Is
the general expectation. The demo-
cratic party. always the party of
clared. stand pat" on the Supreme
Courts decision and leave the situa-
ton as it is.
In that event forty-eight state railway
commissions would have free rein in rate
making and railways engaged in inter
state commerce would face chaos, it is
said Their only salvation would lie in
the judgme- of court as to whether
a rate was conhscatory and they would
have to contest everywhere.
1t is the irony of circumstances that
1T r1,,& f4rr of
no farther back than 1906 were violently
resisting the effort to increase the fed
eral control over interstate commerce,
through the medium OF central federal
commission. are now turning and soon
will be clamoring for wider control OF
both interstate and intrastate commerce
by the federal government
Ii will be recalled by those interested
in the subject that at the time some of
the far-seeing men in public life warned
the railroads if they did not cease fight
ing the admittedly just attempts TO
straighten out interstate commerce they
would in a few years be crying to the
federal government for mercy.
Some of the long-headed railroad man.
ayers of that day recognized the situa-
ton and whipped their fellows into acqui-
escence in the then pending efforts to
increase the authority of the interstate
commerce commission. As the states be-
gan to run wild in radical legisia Iion
against the railroads. some of the rail-
road men hinted even at governmental
control OF all interstate railways as
possibility of the future I'm order to save
the roads from being legislated TO death
Matter Up to congress.
The Supreme Court has 1t is said at
the Capitol. pointed the way to So
luton Of the difficulties. but passed the
action up to Congress. declaring it neces-
sary TO have supplemental legislation; in
the meantime the states to exercise their
right to regulate intrastate rates
up to the point of non-confiscation of
property.
Is it likely that Congress soon will
take up the suggestion and pass the leg
islation? The answer today Is almost
unanimous in the negative. 1t is incred-
ble to ractical politicians at the Cap
itol that the party in power would as
sent to such legislation. The states have
received from the Supreme Court what
they have been fighting for years to OBJ
tain. No one believes that the demo-
cratic party will dilute the victory by
pro-railroad legislation.
But what is to become of the rail-
roads," is the next question asked by
those who discuss the situation. The
fear is growing that hard times are
ahead of the railroads. 1t Is useless to
deny that there is a general feeling of
apprehension in the air. Men of affairs
talk about il wherever they meet
Things do not look good,'' they say
The furry in Wall street isn't alto
Sether responsible for this anxiety, al
though after all is said and done Wall
street comes very near bein: a barom-
eter of times and business. Men are
looking beyond the present slump. which
indeed is not confined to this country,
but exists in Europe.
Political Phases of Problem.
The political angle of the situation is
the suggestion that after this alleged
saturnalia Of state regulation of rail-
ways has proceeded to certain point
business will demand that some party or
some set of men take the situation in
hand and provide the federal relief which
the Supreme Court points out to be
available through congressional action.
Some lawyers at the Capitol declare
that the Supreme Courts decision in the
Minnesota case reflected compromise
The compromise of opinion. ii is said is
shown in the strong language of the de-
cison reafiirmins In terms positive the
supreme power OF Congress over inter
state commerce, thus refiectinS the opinion
OF federalists: and then allowing Min
nesota to nave her way with the Great
Northern ana Northern Pacific railroads
in the pending matter of rates, thus sat
isfying the doctrine of states rights.
May Fail to Enthuse.
The railroads may fail to be enthu-
siastic over this compromise. ii is said.
for they will have to pay the bill The
cold fact confronting them is that they
are held with their noses to the grind
stone of the state. railway commissions
and state legislatures until such time as
sentiment of the country may urge Con-
gress to give relief by extending the
power Of the interstate commerce COM
mission over intrastate rates. which i'm
pose a direct burden interstate COM
merce.
And what political party or new COM
bination of political thought and effort
will take up the proposition as a party
policy. il is askedo
SUMNER OUTINGS FOR 10000.