The Washington herald., 1913-09-28
RAILROAD BILL
DRAFT PREPARED
Stevens of New Hampshire
Completes Tentative Form
Of Drastic Measure.
NATION GIVEN POWER
Interstate Commerce Commission Au-
thorized to Regulate Com
mon Carriers.
NATION GIVEN POWER

rough draft has been completed OF
the bill which will be introduced in Con
gress, giving the Interstate Commerce
Commission plenary power to regulate
the equipment. safety devices, and actual
running conditions of 5he railroads OF
the United States
Legislation of this character Is favored
by the Interstate Commerce Commission
and the bill now framed is based upon
the views and suggestions of officials OF
that body. The bill is being whipped into
shape by Representative Stevens of New
Hampshire, who is chairman Of the Sub
committee of the House Committee on
Interstate Commerce, which has been ap-
pointed to consider legislation safeguard
ing the lives of passengers on the rail-
roads of the country
Under the terms of the bill, the Inter
state Commerce Commission will have
the widest possible powers I'm this diTec-
tion. They will be able not only to COM
pei the railroads to maintain their equip
ment and roadbeds at a certain stand
ard. but also will be able TO regulate the
speed of passenger trains. A prison pen
atty is provided for officers who violate
the orders of the Commission.
Railroads Ignore Body.
At present the commission recommen-
datiOns of this character are not Obliga-
tory upon railroads The commission con-
tends that the railroads have ignored
their findings. and that the commission
in the matter of protecting the lives of
passengers now finds itself in practically
the same predicament that confronted II
on the question of rates before it obtained
adequate Authority to enforce its rulings.
1t is acknowledged that the passage Of
the legislation now proposed will mark
an epoch in the history of railroading
in the United States and will be the
most radical step in the extension of Fed
eral regulation that has been taken since
the passage OF the railroad rate bill
The Herald is able to present the dra:t
Of this important measure as it stands
today.
That the Interstate Commerce Com
mission shall have power and it shall be
its duty upon complaint or upon its own
motion. without complaint, to investigate
the rules. regulations, practices, or con-
ditions obtaining upon the railroad OF
any common carrier. and 4 after such
IL shall be shown that a-y
rule. regulation, practice, condition.
equipment. track, rOadbed. or structure
used for or in connection with the Oper-
alton of any train or car in interstate
commerce, shall be unsafe. ii shall call
upon the said carrier or carriers on a
day TO be fixed by the commission, TO
show cause why such rule. regulation,
practice or condition shall rot be RENE
died, amended. modified, or otherwise i'm
proved. or why such equipment, roadbed.
track, structure, or other instrumentalIty
should not be perfected in the manner r
and to the extent to which the cOmmts-
sion shall find the same TO be Necessary
to insure the safe transportation OF pas
sengers and employees.
After full hearing the commission
shall issue such order as IN its opinion
nay be necessary to require such COM
mon carrier TO establish and maintain
such safe rules. regulations, practices,
conditions, equipment roadbed, tracks,
structure, or other matter as in its opln-
on may be desirable.
THAT any common carrier. its officers,
agents, or other persons connected direct
Y or indirectly with the management and
operation of its trains III interstate COM
nerce, who shall refuse to comply with
he order of the Interstate Commerce
in connection herewith shall
De guilty of a misdemeanor. and upon
conviction thereof shall be subjected to a
inc of not less than $1,000 or imprison-
nent for not more than one year, or
10Th: provided that for continuing viola
ions each day shall be deemed a sepa-
ate offensc.
1T is made the duty OF the United
states District Attorney to begin prose-
utiOn. and jurisdiction is conferred upon
he United States District Court To issue
&C.
McChord in Conference.
Interstate Commerce Commissioner Nc
'hord already has conferred with Presi-
lent Wilson and Attorney General Nc
Reynolds in regard TO legislation of this
haracter. He was the commissioner who
onduCted the investigations into the New
Iaven wreck and who wrote the recent
epOrt condemnirg the directors of that
abroad. II is understood that the mem
'ers of Congress. who are rounding the
ill into final form preparatory to its
Introduction, have conferred with him
nd other officials of the commission.
The proposed legislation j. certain to
reate an issue in Congress which as
Ikely to arouse as much discussion and
opposition as the memorable railroad rate
egislation during President Roosevelt's
We seek in this proposed legisla-
ION TO give the travelling public the
anne protection in the quality of serv-
ce that the shipping public is accord
d in the matter of rates." said Repre-
entative Stevens of New Hampshire
asst night
Up to this time Congress has passed
our or five acts by way Of protect
ng the travelling public. 1t is the
pinion of the House committee that
he Interstate Commerce Commission
hould exercise some general author
ty in the matter. They propose to
Empower the commission to require
he roads to install such equipment
5 will reasonably guarantee the safe
v of the travelling public. Statistics
how that it is not reasonably safe to
ravel in the United States. If we pass
law such as we have under con-
liberation, this, supplemented by State
will make travel reasonably
afe. We will begin hearings on the
ill early in October or November. in
rder that it may be considered and
assed at the regular session that
ill begin in December"
Mr.. Stevens intimated that he soon
yould discuss the subject with the
resident, with a view to having it
lade one of the chapters of the Presi-
ent's annual message to Congress in
december.
rT4 rrrrr--r.