Albuquerque morning journal., 1913-12-20

eliminated as fully as practicable, II
is manifestly impossible for the COM
mission fully To accomplish such pur-
pose unless empowered by law TO en-
forcc It's recommendations Further
more. tale commission should be au-
thorized 60 conduct independent in
vesugations with respect to all mat
ters affecting the safety Of railway
travel the object being to prevent
accidents ms far as possible rather
than. as at present, merely TO point
out the causes of accidents after their
occurrence. There Is particular need
for an investigation OF the conditions
surrounding the use of steel rails and
ear wheels upon railroads"
Among the important recommenda-
tions for new legislation are the fol-
lowing.
That one period be fixed for the
beginning OF all actions relating TO
transportation charges and that that
period be within three years from the
completion of the service as TO which
damages are claimed.
That carrier which fails to de-
mand payment of charges for any
transportation service within period
of ninety days shalt be deemed guilty
OF giving rebate to the shipper;
That an suits brought TO enforce
or SCI aside orders OF the commission
be directly under the supervision Of
the commission. instead of as now.
under the direction of the department
of justice; and that the commission
De charged primarily with the duty of
the department of justice or private
individuals to intervene 20 protect
public or private interests;
That the commission be authorized
to make orders, after investigation.
respecting Che construction and main
tenauce of thc physical properties Of
railroads engaged in interstate com
tuorce and rules and regulations, per-
tanning to the use and operation Of
such prorgruoe;
That the commission be given con-
troll and supervision over railway cap
ualization
That further TO minimize the dan
ger OF accidents the commission be
empowered "to require the use Of
block signal systems ana to require
the adoption and use Of steel or steel
mderirume cars in passenger ser
vice."
That explicit authority be given the
commission 90 examine all books and
papers of common carriers subject TO
tho law;
That the commission be relieved of
.,ff
cor hat such duties ana the standards
to he applied be more clearly stated"
The report gives some consideration
to the law providing for physical valu-
alton Of railways. Up to the present
time il 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 has increased tremcn-
duously in volume. Scores Of Violations
Of the law by both carriers and ship
pers were investigated In this con
nection the report says that 'the false
billing of freight by shippers con
tinues' il is pointed out that serious
abuses Of transit privileges by both
carriers and shippers constitute a con
tinuing evil, remedy for which Is be-
ing worked oat by the commission
Failure on the part Of carriors to col
lect from shippers certain demurrage
charges was made the subject Of many
investigations, because this is regard
ed by the commission as one of the
most insidious forms Of rebating
stress also Is laid upon violations Of
the anti-trust law but the report in
dcates that these are becoming less
ana less frequent.