Atlanta Georgian. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1912-1939, 1914-04-13
The Railroads to Re-enter
Politics Under Wilson

Advocates of the Presidents repeal bill systematically decry
of competition regulator of railroad rates
If it were as regulator they would have
pear they would be vigorously for free canal instead of trying
to close it to the coaswise ships
The railroad representatives the Senate suddenly
nightly of the Interstate Commerce Commits
SION Why risk international complications they ask by opening
coaswse ships the United States without tolls
when absolute vested the Interstate
Commerce Commission?
The purpose is therefore curb the Canal
rainer railroad rates and then pack the 1nterstte Com
Commission with who friends of the railroads
The case of the latest appontee Winthrop Daniels whose
confirmation accomplished the Senate by trick played
by Administration forces upon Senator LaFoee is sig
nfcant.
President Wilson's long time acquaintance and personal
lection Daniels possessed record of endne to railroad in
terest which, when exposed made the Senate balk But
abashed the President whit He knew it, thoroughly
acquainted with Daniels record all its phases and there
fore appointed him,
AS member of the Public Commission of New
sey Daniels laid the proposition that considering the
property which public corporation
titled dividends the value of the franchise should be
sidered
This is fiat contradiction of modern ideas the regu-
on of public service corporations The franchise in effect
the people TO the Inc Daniels heory
would people making the loan aterward pay interest
it to user of the loan
Cherhng this conviction Daniels will be invaluable
the railroads the Commerce Commission just
when valuation of their physical properties being made
with a view to the establishment of equitable rates.
But man willing that the roads should be allowed
their the estimated value of franchises which cost
them nothing be classed railroad through and
through.
That is why the Administration appointed him and jammed
through his confirmation against the protest of LaFolette and
progressive Senators of all parties.
Prior the Daniels appointment the President appointed
commissioner Henry c. Hail. of Colorado too obscure to
out his business and professional dependent railroads
for his livelihood At time sent by railroads to market their
bonds London later settled down the practice of railroad
law How servceab he will the people member of the
Interstate Commerce Commission is readily estimated.
In view of this reorganization of the commission to the rail
road liking the eageess of the roads to substitute commission
regulation for the automatic regulation effected by the compe
tion of the canal is clear enough
Pack the commission with railroad attorneys. Make the
Panama Canal costly American ships using Then the rail
roads raise their transcontnental rates
To cloak the railroad raid upon the canal the cry
raised of diplomatic difficulties and to the national safety
The would have been pleaded when this nation
weak Illuminating when the nation is strong real
Democrat would plead it.
national surrender to the railroads sufficiently hum
hating add the surrender of national sovereignty
Canal and the right established by Cons
tuition to regulate domestic inconceivable