American Fork citizen. [volume] (American Fork, Utah) 1912-1979, 1916-12-09
CONGRESSIONAL
COMMITTEE BEGINS
RAILWAY INQUIRY
proposed by President TO Bet.
Ter Condition Of Carriers,
MAY CHANGE PRESENT SYSTEM

n
Washington, Ten members
vi congress, five Senators and ero
members of the House of Rcproscnto
yves began here today an inquiry into
the subject of public control and al
perNiSion of railroads that NAV lood IN
'ne rcNolutionizlng OF the whole scheme
or governmental regulation of thn conn
Try transportation lines. Incidcn,ally
the committee Is to look into the uuos
tlon OF government ownership of rail
ways telephone and telegraph lines
ana express companies
the members Of the committees
winch will conduct this important in.
Vestigation are Senator Ncwlands OF
Nevada, chairman; Senator's Robinson
or Arkansas. Underwood " Alnbamn
'ummins Of Iowa and Brandcgce OF
connecticut, and Representatives Adj.
amson OF Georgia. Sims Of Tennessee.
Cullop OF Indiana, Esch Of Wisconsin
and Hamilton OF Michigan. The I'm.
quiry was recommended by President
Wilson In his message to Congress in
December Of last year lie described
as It's purpose To- determine what could
be done "for lettering the conditions
under which the railroads are opcratcd
ana for making them more useful serv.
ants OF the country as 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 10 be heard are railroad
commissioners OF various states who
began their evidence today. Their
testimony Is directed chiefly 10 oppos.
Ing any enlargement OF the federal
authority over commerce that would
dctract from the powers now exercised
by state bodies. They will he followed
shortly Ivy officials of railway labor
organizations 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 put
forward 10y representatives of the rail.
roads, for II II reported that they will
advocate an extension of federal au.
thority over rates and securities To the
practical exclusion of state control OF
these matters. II Is understood also that
they VIII go on record In favor OF fed.
eral incorporation OF all railroad lines.
Legislative Program Of Railroads.
From an authoritative source Is Oh.
tanned the following outline of the leg
islatlve program which the railroads
will ask the committee 10 consider In
its investigation: They will cndeavor
TO demonstrate to the commission that
one Of the principal defects In the pres.
ent system OF railroad regulation IL
the lack of coordination resulting from
the simultaneous and conflicting rcgli.
latlon by the federal government and
by the iS states They will, therefore.
ask that entire governmental control
OF the rates ana practices Of interstate
carriers, except purely local matters,
be placed in the hands of federal
body so that interstate traffic may be
regulated without reference to state
lines. leaving 10 the state commissions
Jurisdiction only over local matters and
local public utilities. As part of this
plan, compulsory system OF federal
IN 10 be recommended.
accompanied by federal supervision Of
stock and bond issues.
4 reorganization Of the Interstate
Commerce Commission Will be asked
In order to enable the commission prop
erly to exercise its increased powers
II Is also proposed that the preparation
and prosecution OF cases against the
railroads shall bp delegated 10 some
other agency Of the government. posi-
bly, the Department Of Justice. so that
the commission may devote its ener
gies to its administrative functions.
With the commission thus relieved
N some Of its present duties and equip
ped 10 handle It's business more prompt
". the railroads will urge that the pc
Rod during which the commission may
now suspend proposed Increases IN
rates he reduced from ten months 10
20 days. with provision for reparation
10 be paid TO the shippers II the ad'
rance shall be declared unreasonable,
They will also ask that the commits
sion be given the power 10 prescribe
minimum rs well as maximum rates
90 that In meeting complaints of dis
the commission may order
he advance Of Il rate which 1t consid'
,rs too low.
One Of the most important recon-
for which the railroads
viii ask favorable consideration Is
hat the commission be specifically
10 take into account In
ate regulation the effect of rates
mon total earnings in the light of ex'
lcnses.
While the Newlands Committee is
.eaulred, under the resolution Great
ne II. TO submit report 10y January