The daily commonwealth. (Greenwood, Leflore Co., Miss.) 1916-1919, 1916-12-06

Only Wih Met nayslsIss
Of Nation, Says 4 ?. Then
STATES RIGHTS PRESERVED

Washington. Dec. A.-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-
vanced BY Alfred P. Thorn, counsel
to the Railway Executives' Advisory
Committee, In concluding his prelim-
mary statement Of the case for the
railways before the Newlands Joint
Committee on Interstate Commerce.
I'VE must bs efficient a. Z nation II
10 are to deal successfully with our
national emergencies" said MI. Thorn,
and va must appreciate that efficient
transportation II an essential condition
Of national efficiency. II We are to
halt and weaken u transportation
systems BY state lines, by the perma.
nent imposition Of burdens BY unwiss
regulation, We will make national en-
cheney impossible"
statss' Rights Would Not Suffer.
Mr.. Thorn cited many instances In
which shippers In one state were In
jurious'y affected by selfish regula-
tons imposed on the railroads by
neighbortng states. He pointed out
that federal regulation would he no In
vasion Of the rights Of the states but
would be the lean Of preserving tho
rights which they acquired when they
entered the Union. one Of which was
the right to the free movement of their
products across state boundaries.
What ths Railroads Advocate.
The principles which the railroads
believe should be incorporated In any
just system Of regulation were sum-
marized BY Mr.. Thorn as follows: u
I. The entire power and duty Of reg.
ulation should be in the haids Of the
national government, except AZ to mat
tiers 10 essentially local and incidental
that they cannot be used to interfere
With the edlciency Of the service Or tAe
Just rights Of the carriers.
2. As Of the means Of accom-
piishing this, Z system Of compulsory
federal Incorporation should I've adopt
ed. into which should be brought ali
railroad corporations engaged In inter.
state Of foreign commerce.
3. The Interstate Commerce Commis-
sion under existing laws has too much
to do and Is charged with conflicting
functions, including the investigation,
prosecution and decision Of cases. The
latter duties should be placed In tho
hands Of Z new body which might he
called the Federal Railroad Commits
sion. Regional Commissions should
he established In different parts Of
the country to assist the Interstate
Commerce Commission by handling To-
cal cases.
4. The power Of the Commission
should be extended to ena ble It to pre-.
scribe minimum rates and not merely
maximum rates. a. at present. THIS
would increase their power to prevent
unjust discrimination.
Justies 70 Public and Reads. ,
g.. 1t should lie made the duty Of the
Interstate Commerce Commission. In
thes exercise Of Its powers to dix rea.
sonable rates. to sc adjust these rates
that they shall he Just 1t ono to the
public and to the carriers. To this end
tho Commission, in determining rates,
should consider the necessity Of main.
tanning efficient transportation and ex. 4
tensions Of facilities. the relation Of
expenses to rates and the rights Of
shippers. stockholders and creditors Of
the roads.
9. The Interstate Commerce Commits.
sion should be invested with the pow.
or to Ok the rates for carrying mails.
I. The federal government should
have exclusive power to supervise the
issue of stocks and bonds by railroad
carriers engaged. in interstate and for
eign commerce.
{. The law should recognize the ~.
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
Il not tho only fair criterion.
9. The law should expressly provide
for the meeting and agreement Of traf.
&c or other officers Of railroads in re-
spect Of rates Or practices. This
however, be s~afeguarded BY
requiring the agreements to be dled
the Interstate Commerce Commits
zion and to b subject to bs disapprov.
ID BY Il
my legal proposition" Mr.. Thorn
Iaid. ~ that the Constitution a Il
howl d gives full authority to Congress
regulate the instrumentalities Of In.
commerce In all their parts.
II the power Of regulation Is to reach
he public Requirement.. It must be 60.
extensive with the instrsmentalities Of
Mr.. Thorn explained that the roads
lrs not asking either 0f the Committee |
y Of Congress any increase III reve.
,ues. but that they are merely asking
he perfection Of 1 system which will :
v responsible b any need that may !