South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1914-02-27
Vice President of New York
Central Sees Uniform InCor-
pOratiOn Act as Remedy for
Security Troubles of Roads.
BRANDEIS' PROPOSAL IS
ATTACKED As UNSOUND
Former Secretary of Interior
Says Plan to Save so Mil
lions Year is Not Based on
Authentic Data.

WASHINGTON. Feb. 27.-Albert IT.
Harris, vice president and general
counsel for the \. Y. Central railroad.
urged the interstate commerce COM
mission OF the house TO solve the trou-
bles OF the railroads in the Issuance
of stocks and bonds by obtaining a
law which would compel all railroads
to reincorporate with federal char
ters.
He said it is hot at all certain that
without such federal incorporation.
congress could claim the right alone
TO cOptrol the security issues.
Mr.. Harris stated that within the
past few days the New York Central
had faced the necessity OF selling $40
100000 worth OF bonds to meet obli-
cations falling due and that the rail
road commissions OF New York and
New Jersey approved the bond issue
at the last moment at which the bonds
could be effectively marketed He
begged the committee TO put up no
more restrictions against the quick
financing of railroad needs. The pro
pOsal of a federal in addition 10 a
state regulation, he said. is disturbing
70 railroad interests.
Wants Right Restored.
Alfred Lucking Of Detroit former
representative and manager OF the
Ford Automobile Co. pleaded for
law which would restore 10 manufac-
turers the right 10 fix the retail sell
ing price Of their own goods. He de
clared that recent decisions OF the su-
preme court denying this privilege
have worked great hardship upon
small manufacturers who could noi
afford 10 employ agents TO keen their
prices uniform He insisted that u
sale is not really made until the arti-
Gle has actually reached the consum-
er.
Attacks BrandeiS' Proposal.
Louis ID. Brandeis proposal for in
creasing the revenues Of railroads
$50, 600 600 a year by making a charge
for spur track ferry car and trap car
services was attacked as unsOund at q
hearing today before Interstate Com
merce Commissioner Harlan by Wal
ter J.. Fisher. former secretary Of the
interior. representing the Chicago As
sociation of Commerce. and other at
torneys representing various shippers
associations
Mr.. Fisher said that the Brandeis
scheme was based on incomplete In
vestigations made by examiners OF the
commission; that il would be detri-
mental TO shippers and business inter
ests and would affect Chicago ship
pers 10 such an extent that business
would be chaotic lie said that un-
der present conditions in Chicago busi-
ness is congested by Inadequate ter
minal facilities.
Information Not Authentic.
"To drive shippers TO employ teams
with which 10 carry their shipment
TO terminals would be disastrous
said Fisher. This scheme Of Mr..
Brandeis based upon authentic infor-
nation would not stand the close
scrutiny OF investigation and would
not be productive of the large sums or
money with which TO refill the rail
roads treasures as he says TX would.
Luther NJ. Walter representing the
National Industrial Traffic league Or
Chicago. composed of 75. 600 shippers
in various parts OF the country, pre-
sented a resolution asking that the
commission grant sufficient length or
time 10 make a thorough investiga
ton Of these special services It was
desired, he said, that the testimony he
taken and a complete court recorS
made Of the entire proceedings.