The Washington times., 1915-12-08
Powerful Element Takes Posi-
ton That Administration Is
Too Lenient.
CRITIclSE WILSON SPEECH
Message viii Have Tendency to
Discourage Action This Ses-
sion, It Is Argued.

while chief attention has been d.
rected to that part Of the message Oh
President Wilson which deals with pre-
paredness, there is much discussion
among members Of Senate and HOUSE
over what the President had to say
about the railroads.
The President suggests commission
of inquiry to look into the whole ques-
ton Of whether existing railroad laws
are as serviceable as they might be.
He suggests that there Is fear the rail-
roads as at present equipped and CO.
ordineted will not be able much longer
to cope with the transportation problem
and that 1t would be well to study the
entire field before enacting further leg
islation.
That the language used by the Presi-
dent will have a tendency to discourage
legislation touching the railroads at this
session Of Congress is apparent. Not
long ago. it developed that the President
would not recommend railway securities
legislation at this session. This was a
disappointment to believers In such leg
islation and 1t Is well known that ef-
fortA will be made by different members
in Congress to press for such legisla-
tion regardless Of the President.
Tendency To Criticise.
The exact changes in existing rail
road laws which the President has In
mind are not clearly defined. Members
of Congress say they are not enlighr-
ened on the subject marked dispost
tion is shown among the more radical
and progressive members. OF Senate
and House to criticise this feature
OF the message and to predict that the
Administration will be found in the
long run favoring legislation which
will make Government regulation less
drastic. Some predictions are heard
that shippers will take alarm from
this phase of the message and will
urge Congress not to let down in the
vigor Of railroad regulation. but or
the contrary to make it more restric.
tive.
The possibilities of first ella ss
controversy in Congress over railroad
legislation growing out Of the propos
al Of the President Is foreseen in ma ny
quarters.
Enlargement of Commission.
One of the matters which will be az
fected by the position taken by th'
President Is the proposed enlargement
OF the Interstate Commerce Commits
sion. Already bill FOR enlargement o
the commission has been introduced II
the House. But today there was con
siderable discussion about tbe corridor
and offices which indicated there worl'
be trouble in getting such a law passe'
for the reaso that many members o
Congress think the White House Is dis
posed to put men friendly to the rail
reads on the commission.
In fact. there will in all nroba oilit
he plenty OF outspokcn opposition to III
bill, to enlarge the commission when
comes up on the floor on the 9roun,
that IL the President Is Civen autkorit
IN add more members to the Inter rstst I
Commerce Commission lie will add me-
who will deal leniently witt, the roads
No surprise will he caused here e til
railroad question becomes a subject Q
scute controversy In House and Senat
before the session is much ,lGer.
powerful element taking nc nnsitio
that the Administration Is dealing to
gently with the great transportatto
con- panies.