Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-10-28
URGE COMMERCE
ACT AMENDMENT
Members of State Railway
Commissions Open Con.
,vention Here.
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
REPORT IS DISCUSSED
Recommends Extending Statute of
Limitations to Three Years in
Interstate Cases.

Members OF railway commissions
from nearly every state in the Union
gathered for the twenty-fifth annual
convention OF the National Association
Of Railway Commissioners in the hear
ing room In the interstate commerce
commission building this morning.
Edgar E. Clark, chairman Of the inter-
state commerce commission. opened the
convention with an address of well
come. The report Of the executive
committee was then read and was fol-
lowed by the annual address Of Presi-
dent o. o. Gotham of Ohio. Discussion
of the report of the committee on
amendment Of the act to regulate COM
merce consumed most Of the morning
session of the convention.
Mr.. Clark alluded to the large respon-
National Association Of Railway Commits
sioners, the interstate commerce commits
sion and the various commissions Of the
several states. Upon their zeal patriot
ism, efficiency and Judgment, he said, the
commercial welfare Of the country largely
found on both sides, and from these ex-
tremists comes the bulk Of the criticism
of regulatory acts.
"The attempt to eradicate a multitude
Of evils involves the interests OF many
who had nothing to do with creating
them" he said. Even IL the present
financial condition OF transportation agen-
cies is due to reckless improvident OF
dishonest financing in the past, II would
be mistake to attempt to correct 1t by
policy of reprisal. which would impair
the usefulness or efficiency OF the car
riers.
Commerce is growing continually
and each year we have seen periods
when the available transportation ia
cilities were inadequate. This has
been due to various causes. Added ia
expenditures from surplus earnings OF
from expansion of credit. No more
helpful work can be done than to bran9
about the highest possible degree OF
efficiency In the operation and utii1sa'
ton Of the facilities now possessed
cit seems to me also that the travelling
public is Justly entitled to q greater de-
gree of safety while patronizing our rail-.
roads. The importance Of this should
be brought forcefully to the minds OF
employee. They should, realize and re-
spond to the great responsibilities which
they have undertaken and be held to
strict accountability for neglect therein
1t would De Well 60 revive 6uO SnAU1CS
the old fundamental rule for train opera
ton, In case of doubt take the safe
side.'"
Amendment Of Act Urged.
The report of the amendment commit
tee recommends legislation to extend the
statute Of limitations in interstate COM
merce cases from two to three years. and
also that the Interstate commerce act be
amended so as to provide that failure
to post contemplated rates at the. time
the proposed tariffs are aled with the
commission shall prevent the new rates
from becoming effective after the ex-
piration of thirty days from the time Of
publishing and fling with the commits
sion. The recommendation would penal
lie the carrier If 1t fai.ed to post the rate
in all stations affected by new tartns. Al
the time of adjournment no action had
been taken on this report.
The election of officers for the ensuing
year will take place tomorrow. The con-
vention viii be in session until its work
is completed.