The Washington times., 1914-01-21

President Wilson, in filling two va
cancies on the Interstate Commerce
Commission. will, in effect, determine
get their per cent increase Of rates.
This is the opinion now widely held
by persons who have familiarized them
selves, as well as possible, with con-
ditions surrounding consideration Of the
increased rate case.
The. appointments are expected to be
announced very soon With the Presi-
dents message delivered, and Congress
regulation of big Business" these ap-
pointments to the Interstate Commission
are looked upon as the next biggest
and most pressing matter in the Ex-
ecutive hand.
Acute Interest In Appointments.
Consideration of the railroads applica-
ton for increase in rates has not yet
been delayed, but It is not expected
to be pressed until the vacancies on
the commission are filed. Never has
there been such acute interest In ap-
pointments to be made by the Presi-
dent to this body.
The President It Is commonly be-
Iieved, will determine the decision In
the advanced rate case by his appoint
ments.
This conviction, now widely enter
tanned, is based on the belief that two
Of the present commissioners would be
fsvorably disposed toward the demand
Of the railroads, and that II the Presi-
dent should name two more of that
mind, the four would make up a domi-
mating majority. The full commission
has seven members.
Because of this belief, that the de-
termination finally lies with the Chief
Executive, concern about the forthcom-
ing appointments has become acute.
The commission at present contains
two Democrats. McChord and Clements,
and four Republicans, Prouty, Clark,
Harlan, and Meyer. Mr.. Prouty has re-
signed. and his resignation will be ac-
cepted, just as soon as the President
is ready to name successor.
Want Democrats Named.
Democrats are insistent that the two
new men shall be Of their faith, SO as
to place the commissions control in
that party. On the other hand, there Is
good deal of pressure in favor of
naming one member Of the Progressive
party. This is especially interesting in
view of the fact that the man who has.
perhaps, the widest range of support is
himself Progressive in party afhlia-
ton. He Is W. II. Wheeler. of San
Francisco.
A month ago it was widely believed
Wheeler. who is chief traffic official of
the San Francisco Chamber of Com
merce, was sure to be named. Now he
the fact that he is not a Democrat is
given as the reason.
The two places to be filed represent
the New England and the Pacific coast
terntory. commissioner Marble, recent
iy deceased, came from California. and
the coast demands his successor. There
IS long list Of candidates, headed nv
" h Wheeler, and including Seth
Mann; Mann; attorney of the San Francisco
Democrat, which is decidedly in his IA
Nor, but he is committed to the candi-
dacy of Wheeler, and while in Wash
ington last week insisted he would NOT
not eliminated
]. N. Teal Is Doomed.
Joseph N. Teal, Of Portland. Ore. has
been urged as good material, but has
Dersistently refused to enter. Two
members Of the California State rail-
way commission. Chairman Loveland
and Commissioner Eshelman. and Com
missioner Aitcheson, of the Oregon
commission, have considerable coast
backing.
Henry Thurtell, late member Of the
Nevada commission, and now an exam
iner under the Interstate Commission.
is strong candidate for the far West
ern place commissioner Shaughnessy
OF Nevada, is another: both have been
presented TO the President by Senator
Newlands, but neither has been prefer.
red over the other. These two are
If the appointment comes farther Fast
tnan the coast, 1t seems probable that
Henry c. Hall, of Colorado SPRINGS
viii have one of the best chances. Hail
has been several times mayor of Colo
rado Springs. is a lawyer, and has the
tors. "eASA
George A. Hinshaw. of the Oklahoma
. have the support of Coi EdWard ard M M
House, Of Texas and New York for
this position If this shall prove true.
II VIII make Hinshaw a real factor,
The southwest In insisting that It needs
commissioner quite as much as the |
Pacific coast, and this is the basis of |
the insistence on Hinshaw n Allison |
M&yfield, chairman Of the Texas COM
mission.
New Orleans Man Supported.
Former Attorney General Miller. of |
Mississippi, now a resident Of New Or
leans. is also credited with consider
able effective support on this same
Southwestern theory.
For the New England vacancy, in |
succession to Judge .Prouty it is re-
ported that David o. Ives, of Boston. |
until lately regarded As the strongest |
candidate, is out of the running. Ives, |
some years ago, as a railroad traffic |
official. was fined for giving rebates. |
The circumstances were decided such |
as 10 justify the kindliest view of the |
offense, but the President, II is report |
ed, is convinced that il would require
Stiff limits and Pains?