The Washington times., 1915-12-08
Powerful Element Takes Posi-
ton That Administration Is
Too Lenlent.
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 OF
President Wilson which deals with pre-
paredness, there Is much discussion
amonR 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-
tIon OF whether existing railroad laws
are as serviceable as they might be.
He suggests that there Is fear the rail-
roads a. at present equipped and CO.
ordlnated will not be able much longer
to cope with the transportation problem
and that It 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, 1t developed that the President
would not recommend railway securities
legislation at this session. This was
disappointment to believers In such leg
islation and 1t is we'll known that ef-
forth 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. A marked disposi'
tion is shown among the more radical
and progressive members of Senate
aad 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
this phase of the message and will
urge Congress not to let down in the
vigor Of railroad regulation, but on
the contrary to make 1t more restric-
tive.
The possibilities of a frst- ella IS
controversy in Congress over railroad
legislation growing out of the propos-
al OF the President Is foreseen in many
quarters.
Enlargement of Commission.
One of the matters which will be az
fected by the position taken by the
President is the proposed enlargement
of the Interstate Commerce Commits.
sion. Already a bill for enlargement Of
the commission has been introduced ir
the House, But today there was con,
siderable discussion about the corridors
and offices which indicated there woulC
be trouble In getting such law passed
for the reason that many members oil
Congress think the White House is dis
posed to put men friendly to the rail
reads on the commission.
In fact. there, will in ali probability
he plenty OF outspokcn opuositlon to chI
bill, to enlarge the commission when 1
comes Up on the floor on the GROUND
that II the President is given authority
IN add more members 20 tine InteTstst T.
Commerce Commission he will add mel
who will deal lenientlY with tire roads
No surprise will be caused here e thu
railroad question becomes a subject o
acute controversy in House and Senat
before the session IL much older.
powerful element taking ne nnsitioI
that the Administration Is dealing to,
gently with the great transportation
companies.