The Washington times., 1914-04-10
NJ CHORD MAY DECIDE
RATE INCREASE FATE
Democratic Commissioner Ex-
pected to Determine QueS-
ton by His Vote.
Bv IUDSON C. WELLIVER.

One mans vote may determine
whether the railroads in Eastern terri
Iorv will bc given the increase OF rates
.or which they have asked the Inter
state Commerce Commission.
The potent one man who is reported
10 hold the balance of power is Com
missioner McChord, Democrat and Ken
;uCkian.
According to this report, which repre-
septs the conclusions Of pcople with
opportunities for intimate understand
ng of what is happening inside the
conferences of the commission, the
seven members of that body us now or
-anized stand thus:
For the per cent ncreaSe-Commls-
SiOners Clark, Daniels and Halk.
Against the increas ease-Commissioners
Harlan. Meyer and Clements.
In doubt-Commissione McChord.
How He Is Ranked.
Commissioner McChord has not been
ranked as a pro-railroad man, on his
ecord as member of the Interstate
commission, nor on that of his service
in the Kentucky State commission. He
uas won, during his service IL Wash
ugton, a high rank with all classes OF
.tigants before the commission, for his
fairness, directness, understanding and
rigorous methods.
There has lately been persistent re-
,.urt that the commission Is much dl-
,ided as to the course it should pursue
IA Ihe rate increase matter, ana that at
lines the discussions have been pointed
ven to the extent of aCrimony. How
ever this may be, there has never been
a time when the comm ssion's consider
dtions of a pending case. were guarded
With So much care as at present. Every
fort has been made to insure against
my improper publicity that might give
IN indication of the commissions mind.
II is pointed out that of three men,
Ders whom President Wilson has nJrIIi-
mated for the commission, two, MesGrs.
Daniels and Hall, are listed as favor
BILE TO the increase, and one, Mr..
lements, as opposed. Messrs. Meyer.
'lements, and Harlan. who are claim
ed by the opposition to the increase, are
all veteran members.
Especial interest is attached to the
suggestion THAI Mr. McChOrd may pos
sibly have the deciding vote, by reason
Of the fact that since the Wilson Ad-
ninistration came into office he has
been increasingly regarded as the COM
missioner in closest touch with the
White House He has come to be es-
eemed as most nearly rejecting Ad-
ninistration opinions.
The Presidents attitude toward the
Increase of rates, it is most positively
declared, has never been indicated "a
any commissioner, and the President
mas kept himself out of all efforts 10
rfiuence the commissions considera-
ions. That he would like a settlement
"f the issue as early as possible is very
generally understood. and. right. OF
wrong, the impression has gained
ground very strongly of late that the
President would be pleased 10 see the
Increase of rates granted.
Compromise Is Suggested.
A good deal of discussion has been de
Vcted lately to the possibilities of z
o"mpromise of some kind, by which tn,
airoads would get some relief, but ge
tin part. at least-through other meth
IDS than a direct increase of rates
There are. however, great difficulties il
uch a program.
New England is pointed to as n regior
" here, especially. there is need o.
higher rates. The students of Bostor
md Maine affairs seem almost 'Inani
nous in the view that that road mus
Rave higher rates Its revenues can
'ot be Increased by any indirect Tro
r"cdinG. on the other hand. some Cthe
stems could he very cOnsidPrabl!
,"ped by Topping off allowances to in
austriaI roads and tae Ike. and through
~cforrn of the ''spottug charge" system
!Eut il is claimed that the roads whicl
uuld be most helped by these change
rrc largely the ones that need help tn,
'rast: while lines that stand most il
iced OF immediate help, would get leas
rom these reforms. To spread tn
oeedrd assistance out where il will hell
all that need it. without direct ad
-ance in rates, is problem to which n,
-atisfactorv answer has yet been OF
cred.