Albuquerque evening herald. [volume] (Albuquerque, New Mexico) 1911-1914, 1913-12-19

------------ -
entirely 10 the judgment OF engine
men "a determine whether or not this
limit 10 exceeded.
"fnasmuch as the only purpose Of
Investigation the report continues,
is to learn the true causes OF acci-
dents 80 that such causes may ba
eliminated az fully as practicable. y
IL maDifostly impossible for the COM
mission fully % accomplish such pur-
pose unless empowered by law to
enforce its Recommendations Fur
thermore. the commission should be
authorized % conduct Independent in
vestigatlons with respect to all mat
ters affecting the safety Of railway
travel. the object being to prevent
accidents as far as possible rather
than. as az present. merely 10 point
out the causes Of accidents after their
occurrence. There il particular need
for an Investigation Of the conditions
surrounding the use OF steel rails and
car wheels upon railroads"
Among the important recommend
arions for new legislation are the
following:
That one period be fixed for the
beginning OF all actions relating 20
transportation charges and that that
period be Within three years from the
completion OF the service as 20 which
damages are claimed.
That q carrier which fails 90 de-
mand payment Of charges for any
transportation service within n period
Of ninety days shall be deemed
guilty Of giving a rebate 10 the ship
rer
That all suits brought 10 enforce
or set aside orders of the commits
sion be directly under the supervision
Of the commission. instead Of, as now,
under the direction of the depart
menf OF Justice, and that the COM
mission be charged primarily with
The duty OF presenting such cases In
court subject 20 the right 81 the de-
partmont Of justice or private indi-
ylduals TO Intervene 10 protect pub
llc or private interests.
That the commission ee authorized
to mako orders. after Investigation,
respecting the construction and main
flamenco Of the physical properties
of railroads engaged la interstate
commerce and rules and regulations
pertaining to the use and operation
OF such properties.
That the commission be given con-
troll and supervision oyer railway
| capitalization.
That, further to minimize the
/ danger OF accidents. the commission
be empowered TO require the use of
block signal systems and 90 require
tho adoption and use of steel or steel
underframe cars In passenger serv-
ice.
That explicit authority he given the
commission to examine all hooks and
papers Of common carriers subject 90
the law
That tho commission he relieved at
on duties under the parcel post law,
cor that such duties and the stand
ards to Dee applied be more clearly
stated"
The report gives some considora-
ton 90 the law providing for physi-
cal valuation Of railways. Up 10 the
present time it has not been possible
90 do more than prepare AN outline OF
the plans for the great task of Nulu'
ing American railroad property.
Tho report shows that the work oi
{ the commission increased tremen-
dOusiy in volume. scores Of viola
lions az the law by both cnrrieri
ana shippers were Investigated. In
this connection the report says that
the false billing of freight by ship
peers continues" II rs pointed ou
that serious abuses OF transit priyi
: loscs hy both carriers and shipper
constitute q continuing evil. remedy
for which ia being worXed out by the
commission. Failure on the part 60
: carriers 10 collect from shippers Ger
: tain demurragc charges was made M,
subject of many Investigations, De
cause this ~ regarded by the com
3 mission as one of the most insidloul
! forms Of Relating stress also o. laiC
B upon violations OF tho antl-pasH law
but the report indicates THAI thes,
are becoming less and less frequent.