West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1916-12-14
SAFETY DEMANDS
FEDERAL CONTROL
OF The RAILROADS
Only Way to Meet Emergencies
Of Nation, Says A. P. Thorn.
STATES RIGHTS PRESERVED

Principles Which Railways Hold Should
Govern Regulatory System In Inter-
eats Of Public and the Roads-Com-
Puisory System of Federal Ineorpo-
ration Favored.
Washington, Dec. 4.-That the inter
ests OF national defense require that
control Of railway lines should rest
with the federal government and not
with the states was the claim ad.
yanced by Alfred T.. Thorn, counsel
to tile Railway Executives Advisory
Committee, In concluding his prelim.
mary statement OF the case for the
railways before the NewlahdJ Joint
Committee on Interstate Commerce.
we must be efficient as a nation II
we are to deal successfully with our
national emergencies" said Mr.. Thorn.
and we must appreciate that efficient
transportation IL an essential condition
or national efficiency. III we are &c
halt aud weaken our transportation
systems by state lines, 10y tho perma,
nent Imposition of burdens by unwlse
regulation, we will make national ell.
cheney imposslble."
States Rights Would Not Suffer.
MIR. Thorn cited many instances In
which shippers In one state were In.
Juriousiy affected by selfish regula.
tons imposed on the railroads by
neighb0ring states. lie pointed out
that federal regulation would he no Ina.
vasion Of the rights of tie states but
would be the means Of preserving the
rights which they acquired when they
entered the Union, one OF whit. h WIS
the right TO the free ovemeul Of theit
products across state bnuude.i,
What tho Railroads Advocate.
The principles which the railroads
believe should be Incorporated la any
Just system qf regulation were sum
married. 10y Ne. Thorn as follows
/. The entire power aud duty " reg
ulation should he I'm the hanGs Of the
national government. eNccpt rs To mat
ters so essentially local ANA incidental
that they cannot be used to interior,
with the ehicioncy OF the service or th
Just rights OF the carriers
?. AS one Of the means OF accom-
plishing this. system of compulsory
federal incorporation should Ice adopt
ed. into which should be brought all
railroad corporations engaged I'm inter
state or foreign commerce.
3. The Interstate Commerce Commits
sion under existing laws has too much
10 do and Is charged with conflicting
functions, Including the investigation
prosecution ana decision OF cases The
latter duties should be placed I'm the
hands of new body which might be
called the Federal Railroad Commits
sion. Regional Commissions should
he established in different parts Of
the country TO assist the Interstate
Commerce Commission ny handling 10
cal cases
4. The power or the Commission
should he extended to enable II to pre-
scribe minimum rates and not merely
maximum rates as at present. This
would increase their power 10 prevent
unjust Determinations.
Justice to Public and Roads.
.. It should he made the 3uty of the
Interstate Commerce Commission, IN
the exercise OF its powers to fix rea
sonable rates. 10 so adjust these rate.
that they shall he just Mt once 20 the
public and to the carriers To this end
the Commission, ia determining rates.
should consider the necessity OF main
tanning efficient transportation and cx
tensions Of facilities, the relation
expenses to rates and the rights
shippers. Stockholders and creditors ,
the roads.
q. The Interstate Commerce Commits
sion should be invested with the pow
er To FIX the rates for carrying mails.
Z The federal government should
have exclusive power TO supervise the
issue OF stocks and bonds by railroad
carriers engaged i'm Interstate and for
eign commerce
g. The law should recognize the ca.
sentiol difference between things which
restrain trade in the case Of ordinary
mercantile concerns and those which
restrain trade In the case OF common
carriers The question of competition
is not the only fair criterion.
o. The law should expressly provide
for the meeting and agreement or traf.
flc or other officers or railroads I'm re.
spect Of rates or practices This
should, however, be safcguarded 10y
requiring the agreements 90 be fled
with the Interstate Commerce Commits.
sion and 20 bc subject To- bc disapprov.
ed by it.
My legal proposition" Mr.. Thorn
snid. "is thnt the Constitution as II
now gives Full authority 10 Congress
10 regulate thc Observation-Disclosures OF In.
tcrstatc commerce in uil their parts
IT the power of regulation f. 10 reach
the public requirements. 70 must be co.
extensive with the Observation-Disclosures Of
commerce"
Mr. Thorn explained that the roads
arc not asking either Of Tho Committee
or Of CONGRESS any incroaso I'm rove.
MUGS. hui th1t thcy are merely asking
Che perfection or q system which will
hc responsible to- amy need that may
arise
e~esssss~~sssseese |
HAPPINESS. 81