The Washington herald., 1915-12-11
Want |. {. {. TO
FIXALLRA
Men Seek Law TO
Aid Freight Transporta-
ton on Rivers.
RANSDELL BEHIND PLAN
Newlands Tells Delegates They Should
Submit Comprehensive Plan in
Congress Meeting Is Closed.

Before It adjourned tho National Riv-
ernOon adopted a new policy toward the
railway rate cutting which, It Is claimed.
crtfshes waterway transportation in many
cases and In others prevents it from
starting at all. The members unanimous
ly favored a change in the law that will
empower the Interstate Commerce Com
mission TO fix n minimum rail rate.
Senator Joseph T. Ransdell, Of I-ouisi-
ana, president Of the congress, declared
that he would introduce in Congress In
a few days an amendment to the Inter-
state Commerce act authorizing that
change. The commission itself has re-
peatedIy asked for that power.
Gives Instances of Rates.
Senator RansdeII made a strong plea
for the new policy. He told of the rates
below cost maintained by the railways
among the Mississippi river whereby they
have driven shipping from the great
river.
Let me tell you Of an instance OF those
rates." he said. THE distance from New
Orleans to Cairo is $50 miles; both arc on
the Mississippi River and the Illinois
Central Railway connects with both.
Amite. La. which Is not on the river.
1t is but sixty-eiGht miles from New Or
leans. Because 1t is not on the river.
the Illinois Central charges seventeen
cents hundred TO carry sugar there
from New Orleans. Sugar carried on the
same road through that little town and
thence for $50 miles to Cairo is hauled
also for exactly seventeen cents That
illustrates why there are no new ship
lines started upon the Mississippi"
Another resolution was that which ask
ed that. II the investigating commits
sion to look into railway conditions asked
by President Wilson in his recent mes
sage is authorized. IL be extended to
include ali investigation Of waterways.
The resolution carried after there was An
attempt defeated to amend to Include
'adjuncts" OF transportation, supposed
ly irrigation and water power.
Wipes Out Its Debts.
President Ransdell was reelected, Sec
rotary ii. y. Thompson. OF this city. was
re-chosen: and Albert Schulteis, of this
city. was made one of the directors. May
or James ii. Preston. Of Baltimore: John
{. Freeman. of Richmond; and George
w. Harvey. OF Norfolk. were also among
the directors. Key Compton. Of Balti-
more. and r. a. Dobie, OF Norfolk. rep
-aoi virginia respective
ly as vice presidents.
In his annual report. Secretary Thomp-
son said the organization Is now out of
debt, having wiped out some 8. 800 OF def
cit since the meeting q year aRo Hell
urged the delegates to work for moro
members in order to increase tho rev.
enues. which In turn may be devoted to
fghung the opposition that is crying
pork barrel
Senator Newlands. OF Nevada. told the
delegates they were responsible for not
having secured a national DEVELOPMENT
OF waterways. because they had not SUBJ
mitted to Congress a comprehensive plan
OF waterway development
A small demonstration OF what in
land waterways will do. Senator Gore. of
oklahoma, contended. is the best way
TO make the start at a national develop
ment of such transportation. He said he
"ould introduce at once In the senate
measure calling for the Secretary of
War to carry out the scheme of a New
y fork-to-St. Paul waterway.