The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1916-11-18
GOVT OWNERSHIP
OF RAILROADS. TO
Be PROBED NOV. 70

! WASHINGTON, Nov. *16.-A state
ment outlining the purpose and scope
of the United States railroad tnvesti-
cation that is t. be made by joint
commission of the senate and house
of representatives has just been sent
by Senator Newlands, Nevada, chair
man of the commissions, to mem bers
OF the interstate commerce commits
sion and state railroad commissions,
commercial, farming and banking or
ganizations,' and to about forty econo-
mists and publicists, as wen as to the
representatives of the railroads and
their employees.
The statement was issued for the
purpose of inviting all who are inter-
est in, or have any information re-
garding the subject of the inquiry to
express their views either by written
communication or at the oral hear
1ngs, with a view to eliciting the hest
thought available regarding the mat
tiers to be considered by the commit
tee. AS has been heretofore an
nounced, this inquiry is to begin on
November 20 here at the national cap
ital.
May Take Two Years.
| While the resolution creating the
committee calls for report to the
congress on or before tn, second Mon
day in January, it is assumed that an
extension Of time will be granted, and
plans have been made for an inquiry
that may require nearly two years for
it's completion.
While no definite decision has been
reached, it is expected to hold hear
ings in the princinal cities of the coun-
l~try, as we'll as at WASHINGTON, and the
tentative itinerary includes New York,
Chicago, possibly Omaha, st. Louis,
Kansas City, San Francisco. Portland,
San Antonio, possibly NV Orleans
and Atlanta. Probably no hearings
will be held outside Washington be-
fore the first of the year.
Senator Newlands' preliminary
statement says that the. subjects to be
| considered, as states. in general terms
in the joint resolution, yer:
I. The subject of the government
control and regulation of interstate
and foreign transportation, including
therein specifically:
(a) The efficiency Of the existing
system in protecting the rights of
! shippers and carriers md in promot-
ing the public interest.
CD The Incorporation or control of
the incornoration Of carriers.
(c) And all proposed changes in the
organization of the interstate COM
merce commissi~ and the act to reg,
u1ate commerce.
| Take I'm Big Subject.
2. The subject of government own
ership of all public utilities, such as
telegraph, wireless, cable, telephone,
express companies and railroads en-
gagged in interstate and foreign COM
MERGE, including specifically:
(a) The wisdom or feasibility of
government ownership Of such utili-
ties.
| (b) The comparative worth and eff
ficiency of government regulation and
control as compared with governme nt
ownership and operation.
Under the head of government reg
ulation and control, without excluding
other questions, attention is par+iou-
1arly called to the following subjects:
!! (a) Whether the interstate COM
merce commission is overloaded and
whether it's jurisdiction should be con-
fined to questions Of Determinations.
rebates and rates, it's jurisdiction over
other subjects, such as valuation, safe
ty inspection, etc., to be turned over
to some other body or bureau to be
created by law?
; (b) Whether it is necessary to make
any change in the organization of the
interstate commerce commission with
a view to prompt and efficient action;
, whether it is feasible to increase the
, number Of commissioners and to per-
!. NIT them to divide into several de-
|, nartments for the consideration OF
cases, and if so whether there shall
also be consideration in bank and also
, whether there shall be appeal from
/ decisions in the department to the
commission in bank?
(c) Whether such departments OF
the Interstate commerce commissicn
shall sit in WASHINGTON, or be as
signed to definite traffic areas some
what after the manner Of the judicial
circuits, and whether in the latter case
there should be no provision for their
sitting in bank at Washington or for
some central body in washington with
the duty Of hearing appeals and di.
recting the procedure of the depart.
ment?
Credit of Common Carriers.
(d) Whether under the present sys.
tenn the credit Of the common car.
riers is assured with a view to Their
obtaining the money needed for neces.
sary improvements and extensions ir
the interest Of the public and at rea.
sonable rates of interest?
Whether government regulation Of
the issue of securities is advisa BILE, and
if so whether it is to the interest OF
the public as we'll as the carriers thai
. this regulation should be exercised by
the national government, and whether
. 1t should involve merely publicity OF
absolute control of the issue Of securi
ties? Whether concurrent jurisdiction
of the nation and the states to contro
> such issues is in the interest of thu
carriers and tho p,,h1ic7