The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1916-12-01
CONGRESSIONAL
COMMITTEE BEGINS
RAIL WAY INQUIRY
Proposed by President TO Bsi-
Tor Condition Of Carriers
MAY CHANGE PRESENT sYsTEM
offielals Of Roads Prepared 10 Advocate
Federal Incorporation, supsrvislen %
Securities and EstensIon Of Authority
Of Interstate commeres Commission.

Federal Incorporation, eupervisIen o.
Securities and Gxtsnsion Of Authorlty
Of Interstate commeros Commission.
Washington. Nov. 20--Ten members
Of Congress, ave Senators and ave
members Of the House of Representar
tives, began here today an inquiry inte
the subject Of public control and sus
perviaion Of railroads that may lead 10
the revolutionizing OF the whole scheme
Of governmental regulation Of the coun-
try's transportation lines, Incidentally
the committee Ia to look into the Ques-
ton OF government ownership Of rail-
ways, telephone and telegraph lines
and express companies.
The members Of the COMMITTEES
which win conduct this important In
vestigation are Senator Newlands Of
Nevada. chairman: Senators Robinson
Of Arkansas, Underwood OF Alabama,
Cummins Of Iowa and Brandegee Of
Connecticut, Ifnd Representatives Adj
amson Of Georgia, Sims OF Tennessee,
Cullop OF Indiana. Esch Of Wisconsin,
and Hamilton OF Michigan. The in-
quiry was recommended by President
Wilson In his message 10 Congress IN
December Of last year, Tie described
az its purpose to determine what could
be done "for lettering tho conditions
under which the railroads are operated
and for making them more useful serv.
ants Of tho country M n whole"
Prominent Mon 90 Witnesses.
In order TO obtain tho views Of all
interests affected by tho operations OF
tho transportation lines tho committee
has invited prominent shippers, bank
ers, representatives OF commercial or
CARNATIONS, railway executives, econo-
mists and others 10 appear before them.
The nrst TO BIO heard are railroad
commissioners OF various states who
began their evidence today. Their
Testimony IL directed chiefly 10 oppoH-
Ing any enlargement Of the federal
authority over commerce that would
detract from the powers now exercised
by state bodies. They viii DO followed
shortly by officials of railway labor
organizations who are expected 30 reg
ister the'r opposition TO the increase
of governmental dthorty over WAGES
and condiuons OF lhDor.
ohier interest IN tho nearlnes con-
ters IN inc proposals that WIZ % put
forwaru ny representatives OF the ran.
rohds' TOT u IN Reported tnat tney WIZ
aoVochte IN eAtehhioh OF ieuerhi an-
tnority over rates ana Secufiues 70 the
prhctcn' ehciusioh OF hthto contsoi oI
these matters u IN uhuerstoou aso tnat
they VIII go on RECORD IN ihVor or tea-
erai incorporation OF all rai'road hnes.
Legislative Program OF Railroads.
From an authoritative source 10 OBJ
tanned tho following outline OF the leg
islative program which the railroads
will ask the committee 30 consider In
its investigation: They will endeavor
10 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 regu-
Iation by the federal government and
by the ~ states. They will, therefore,
ask that entire governmental control
Of tho rates and practices Of Interstate
oa rrlara axcaut t,uRaIv Iaoat t.altara