Newark evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1909-1916, 1913-12-19


Ask for More Power.
'Inasmuch as the only purpose of
| StigatiOn. the report continues,
lis to learn the true causes of acct
dents, SO that such causes may be
eliminated as fully as practicable 1t
is manifestly impossible for the com
mission fully to accomplish such pur-
pose unless empowered by law to en-
force its recommendations Further
more, the commission should be au>
thorized to conduct independent in
vestigations with respect to all mat
tiers affecting the safety of railway
travel. the object being to prevent ac-
cidents, as 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
car wheels upon railroads."
Among the important recommenda-
tlons Tor new legislation are the fol-
lowing:
That one period be fixed for the be-
ginning 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 a carrier which fails to de-
mand payment of charges for any
transportation service within period
of so days shall be deemed guilty of
giving rebate to the shipper.
would Supervise suits.
That all suits brought to enforce
or set 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
be charged primarily with the duty
! of presenting such cases in court sub
ject TO the right of the department
| of justice or private individuals to
intervene to protect public or private
| interests.
| That the commission be authorized
to make orders after investigation re-
| speeding the construction and MAIN
tenance of the physical properties of
railroads engaged in interstate COM
merce and rules and regulations per-
tanning to the use and operation of
such properties.
That the commission be given con-
troll and supervision over railway
capitalization.
That, further to minimize the dam
ger of accidents, the commission be
empow cred Ito require the use of
block signal systems and to require
the adoption and use of steel or steel
underfrarne cars in passenger serv-
ice.''
That explicit authority be given the
commission to examine all books and
papers of common carriers subject to
the law.
That the commission be relieved of
i. -
''or that such duties and the stand
ards to be applied be more clearly
stated.
As 10 Railroad Valuation.
The report gives some considera-
ton to the law providing for physical
valuation of railways Up to the
present time it 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 increased tremend-
ously 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
, continues It is pointed out that
serious abuses of transit privileges
by both carriers and shippers con-
stltute q continuing evil, remedy for
which is being worked out by the
commission. Failure on the part of
carriers TO collect from shippers cer-
tain denurrage charges was made the
| subject of many Investigations, be-
cause this is regarded by the COM
mission as one OF the most insiduous
forms of rebating. Stress also Is laid
upon violations of the anti-pass law,
but the report indicates that these
are becoming less and less frequent.