The daily star-mirror. (Moscow, Idaho) 1911-1939, 1916-12-12
COMMITTEE BEGINS
RAILWAY INQUIRY
PROPOSED BY PRESIDENT TO
BETTER CONDITION OF
CARRIERS
Officials Of Board Prepared to Ad.
vocate Incorporation-May Change
Present System

II Washington, Nov. 20.-Ten members
members Of the House OF Representa-
tives, began here today an inquiry into
the subject of public control and SUI
peryision Of railroads that may lead to
the revolutioniZing OF the whole scheme
Of governmental regulation OF the coun-
try's transportation lines. incidentally
the committee is to look into the ques-
ton of government ownership Of rail
ways, telephone and telegraph lines
and express companies
The members Of the committee
which will conduct this important in
vestigation are Senator Newlands Of
/ Nevada, chairman: Senators Robinson
4 Of Arkansas. Underwood OF Alabama,
| Cummins of Iowa and Brandegee of
! Connecticut, and Representatives Adj
| amsOn of Georgia. Sims of Tennessee,
Cullop Of Indiana, Esch of Wisconsin
AMI Hamilton of Michigan. The in
quiry was recommended by President
Wilson in his message to Congress in
December of last year. He described
as its purpose to determine what could
be done "for lettering the conditions
under which the railroads are operated
and for making them more useful serv-
ants Of the country as a whole"
Prominent Men as Witnesses.
In order to obtain the views Of all
interests affected by the operations of
the transportation lines the committee
has invited prominent shippers, bank
ers, representatives of commercial or
CARNATIONS, railway executives, econo-
mists and others to appear before them.
The first to be heard are railroad
commissioners of various states who
began their evidence today Their
testimony IS directed chiefly to oppos-
ing any enlargement of the federal
authority over commerce that would
detract from the powers now exercised
by state bodies. They will be followed
shortly by officials of railway labor
organiza tons who are expected to reg.
lister their opposition to the increase
of governmental authority over wages
and conditions Of labor
Chief interest in the hearings cen
tiers in the proposals that will be prt |
forward by Representatives OF the rail
roads. for 1t is reported that they will |
advocate an extension of federal au-
thority oyer rates and securities to the |
practical exclusion of state control of |
these matters. 1t Is understood also that
they will go on record IN favor Of fed
eral incorporation of all railroad lines
Legislative Program Of Railroads.
From an authoritative source is OBJ
tanned the following outline OF the leg
islative program which the railroads
will ask the com mittee to consider in
its investigation: They will endeavor
to demonstrate to the commission that
one OF the principal defects In the pres
ant system of railroad regulation is
The lack Of coordination resulting from
the simultaneous and conflicting regu-
alton by the federal government and
by the 48 states. They will. therefore.
ask that entire governmental control
If the rates and practices of interstate
carriers, except purely local matters.
De placed in the hands Of federal
body so that interstate traffic may he
regulated without reference to state
ines learin- to tho state commissions