Honolulu star-bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1912-2010, 1913-10-07
System of Supervision Will Be
Similar to That Used in
Great Britain
BY C. S. ALBERT.


Especial ar-Bulletin Correspondence
WASHINGTON, d. c., Sept. 24-The
Interstate Commerce Commission
which has become one of the most i'm
portant divisions Of the federal gov
eminent, is going to be given more
power. The present Congress is in
favor of giving the commission juris-
[diction over the roadbed, the equip
lment and the operation of interstate
roads. ~ =.
Chairman w. C.. Adafnson of the
house committee on interstate and
foreign commerce, lis going to carry
out the recommendations made by the
block signal and train control board
in its report to the Interstate Com
merce Commission in 1911.
In his report two years ago Chair
man NJ e. Cooley Of the block signal
and train control board, which was APP
pointed under the authority of a spe-
eial resolution in 1906 to investigate
safety appliances and systems intend
ed to promote the safety Of railway
operation, said: ANY further legis-
lation dealing with safety in railway
operation, to be fully effective, should
deal comprehensively with the whole
subject of the physical operation of
railroads as existing law now deals
with the subject of, railway. rates and
There is ample justifica-
ton for this, as it goes without say
ing that any measure which has for
its object the saving of life is of vast
ly greater Importance than legislation
dealing with the. financial operations
of the railways"
The block signal and train control
board is composed of expert railroad
men. Its recommendation, after
careful Investigation of conditions,
startled the Interstate Commerce Com
mission when they we're first made.
The members of the commission did
not care for the additional RESPONSE
bility, members of the house commit
tee were told, and did not urge the
passage of law charging their pow
ers. But, since Chairman Cooley rec
commended comprehensive statute 20
be enforced by board similar to the
commission, Commissioner C. C. Nc
Chord, who is specialist on equip
ment, roadbeds and operation, has
come to the belief that the commission
should have more power He is work
ing in cooperation with members of
the house interested in the proposed
legislation. -,
The time has come in this coun-
try" reported Chairman Cooley, ito
inaugurate a system of interstate SUI
pervision over roads somewhat similar
to that now administered through the
Board of Trade of England The
board dealing with this subject)
should have ample, though carefully
restricted powers Of investigation and
inspection, as well as administration
of laws sufficiently broad to insure
adequate regulation of details of con-
structiCn, maintenance and operation
Of all interstate railroads, so far as
concerns the safety Of railroad travel
and employment
Chairman Cooley and his associates
would create new board, but the dis
position of the house interstate and
foreign committee is to enlarge the
powers ard appropriations of the IN
Commerce Commission.
The new law, as outlined by Rep.
r. 3. Stevens, Of New Hampshire, who
was appointed chairman of sub
committee to investigate the safety
of railway passengers and employees,
will provide functions now compre
hended under the various safety-appli-
ance, boiler inspection, hours of ser