The Washington times., 1914-02-08
CONGRESS WATCHES
FREIGHT RATE CASE
Sims Sees More Strength for
Government Ownership in
Move to Raise Tariffs.

That there is a strong disposition IN
congress to keep a sharp eye on the sit
Iation with respect to the proposed
Ter cent increase of freight rates in Of
fcisl classification territory.
There will be sharp criticism from
some Quarters at the Capitol if the in
,.rease is allowed. This is indicated by
z recent address to the House on the
ate question by Congressman Thetus
". Sims of Tennessee. one Of the vet
ran. members of the House Interstate
Commerce Committee.
Judge Sims remarks amounted prac-
callv to the sounding Of a warning
note that the efficiency OF the policy o.
reculatinE the roads was Hey to be
fU6Red by the outcome Of this case. He
sees the likelihood that il the commits
sion permits the increase of rates, the
Government ownership movement VIII
be- greatly strengthened. though he did
rot elaborate this phase of the ques-
lion in his speech.
Is Public IsSe.
He. declared. however the question Of
allowing or disaIIowins the carriers de-
nlands had PASSED from the domain of
economics and had become a public or
political issue.
Among other things, 5udEe Sims
CHARGED that the carriers had set out to
ccnduct a great campaign of publicity
and "overwhelm the Interstate Com
reerce Commission and compel It to
grant their application regardless OF
ITS merits"
Saying that it was not the duty Of
Congress TO prejudge the action of the
commission. Judge Sims said that new
ertheless it was the duty OF Congress
20 know that there was not even a
partial miscarriage of justice in the ad-
vanced=rate case.
II said he, 'alI this campaign, OF
a political or seni-political nature is
for the nurDose of unduIy influencing
me commission. by which the carriers
nope TO obtain something to which they
are not legitimateIy entitled, and the
accomplishment of which they have
sought through means and by ways and
'yicks that are not proper, then it be
comes a matter in which Congress is
most deeply and directly concerned.
AT least ii should be made known
that we are on the watchtOwers keep
ing an eye on this affair and ready to
AXE a hand, should it appear that there
IS likely to be other than Just treatment
Of this agenCy of Congress, as repre-
sented in its commission"
Board Needs Time.
Judge Sims said the commission
should not be hurried to a conclusion;
that the carriers had not made a show
ing that seemed to warrant the in
creased rates; that they had Chown
only gross earnings and gross eXpendi-
Lures; and that it was strange the roads
with about S2OO,00o.OOO a year more reve-
nue. than when their application three
years ago was denied, could not now
conduct their business and get a fair
return.
He added: lit would seem, in view
Of this fact alone, that an increase of
) per cent would not make any material
difference in Their situation. for IL their
business is so conducted that their ex-
DSnses are fast Outrunning their reve-
nues, ;. per cent would be a very small
palliative, and would afford no real re-
lief"
The speaker maintained that II there
Nere any increase of charges, common
sense seemed to 'Ctate a readjustment
so that the increased burden should be
imposed. not on lOw-ETade commodities,
nut on the hign-Class traffic capable OF
sustaining it,.
Likening the freight charges to i tax,
Judge Sims predicted that il this in
cTease were allowed, 10 living man
Vould see it reduced.