Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1915-10-12
RAILWAY COMMISSIONER oP-
POSED TO FEDERAL REGULA.
TON OF LINES AND RATES.
SEES MENACE IN TAKING
AWAY LOCAL CONTROL
In Address Before National Assoeia-
ton Of Commissioners Iowa Man
Points Out Dangers Of Complete Ma.
tienaI Reeulaton-says Best Lave
Have Emanated in States.

San Francisco, Oct. dangerously
ton to business and particularly tc
railroad rates as opposed to what he
characterized as a tendency toward
complete federal regulation, Clifford
Thorne. president Of the National AS
ISOLATION of Railway Commissioners in
his annual address at the organiza-
TONS convention here, said today that
the issue between federal and state
regulation was vital and was based or
fundamental conceptions of govern
ment.
The relative merits of strong Gen.
tralized government and federal gov
eminent were reviewed by the speaker
who urged the retention of regulative
power by the states as distinctive
part of the great American expert
ment," the federal plan.
TOO much 'nationalism is just as
wrong as too much states rights
There is happy medium" said Mr.
Thorne.
1T is not this government as one
nation, not the several states but the
combination in one federal plan that
has rendered euch distinct contribu-
ton to the welfare of humanity. 1t is
this federal plan that must be most
jealousy guarded. A tendency one
way or the other, towards ccntra!iza :
ton or towards decentralization, is
dangerous"
Movement Inspired.
For several years there has been
gradually developing in this country a
sentiment in favor Of wiping out
state lines said Mr.. Thorne. AN
agitation. partly spontaneous and
partly inspired by interested persons.
has been carried on to support a
change in our judicial decisions rela-
tive to the powers Of a state to regu-
late business.
TT is now vigorously claimed that
the time has arrived for the practical
abolition of all state regulation. Such
a change in the American plan of gov
Aernment would be Of stupendous i'm
portance.
The issues OF today concern prop
erty interests, and the future policies
of state and nation on many grave
questions of business are vitality con-
cerned."
After reviewing the Minnesota rate
case and the decision aof the United
states supreme court Mr.. Thorne- said:
THE court said that the question as
to whether federal regulation of COM
merce shall supplant state. regulation
Is not question for the judiciary to
determine; it is legislative and not
judicial in character. 1t now becomes,
not question of precedent or Of
statute, but one of expediency, Of
wisdom"
within the next twenty-five years
substantially all our commercial af-
fairs will be carried on by companies
doing both state and interstate bust
ness," said MIR. Thorne. What is good
for railroads will be good for others.
Shall we abandon our state govern
ments, so fa- as the regulation of bus
mess is concerned? Here is an issue
which strikes at fundamentals; which
has to do with the method Of govern
ment. p - & 3d.
Danger in Present Tendency.
IF the national government is per-
mitted to gradually absorb those func-
tions formerly exercised by the states.
1t will only be question ofs,time until
some great evil will demand some great
remedy. Agitation will follow agita-
ton There will be no opportunity to
try out the new proposal; the nation
as whole must adopt it or reject it.
1--WE believe the federal plan, as con-
ceived by our fathers is better than
the new nationalism. We believe the
states are distinct factor in our
scheme IF government