The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1916-12-07
SAFETY DEMANDS
FEDERAL CONTROL
OF THE RAILROADS
Only Way 10 Meet Emergencies
Of Nation, Says A. P. Thorn.
STATES RIGHTS PRESERVED

/ Principles Which Railways Hold Should
Govern Regulatory System In Inter
/ ests Of Public and the Roads-Com-
! pulsory System Of Federal lneorpo-
ration Favored.
! Washington, Dec. 4--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-
yanced by Alfred T. 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 be efficient as nation II
we are to deal successfully with our
national emergencies" said Mr.. Thorn
"and we must appreciate that efficient
transportation is an essential condition
Of national efficiency. II we are to
halt and weaken our transportation
systems by state lines, by the perma,
nent imposition Of burdens by unwise
regulation we will make national etti-
cheney impossible"
States Rights Would Not Suffer.
Mr.. Thorn cited many instances In
which shippers in one state were In
juriously affected by selfish regua-
lions imposed on the railroads by
neighboring states. He pointed out
that federal regulation would be no In
vasion Of the rights of the states but
would be the means Of preserving the
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 the Railroads Advocate.
The principles which the railroads
believe should be Incorporated in any
Just system of regulation were sum-
married. by Mr.. Thorn as follows
/. The entire power and duty Of reg
ulation should be In the hands Of the
national government, except as to mat
tiers so essentially local and Incidental
that they cannot be used to interfere
with the efficiency Of the service or , re
Just rights OF the carriers.
Q. As one Of the means Of accom-
plishing this. system of compulsory
federal incorporation should be adopt
ed, into which should be brought all
railroad corporations engaged In inter.
state or foreign commerce
B. The Interstate Commerce Commits
sion under existing laws has too much
to do and is charged with conflicting
functions, including the investigation,
and decision of cases. The
latter duties should be placed In the
hands of new body which might be
called the Federal Railroad Commits
sion. Regional Commissions should
be established In different parts Of
Commerce Commission by handling To-
cal cases.
4. The power Of the Commission
should be extended to enable 1t to pre-
scribe minimum rates and not merely |
maximum rates as at present. This |
would increase their power to prevent |
Iniusf determinations
Justice to Public and Roads.
g. 1t should be made the duty of the
interstate Commerce Commission, I'm
he exercise of its powers to fix rea-
,onable rates, to so adjust these rates
hat they shall be just at once to the
public and to the carriers To this end
he Commission. in determining rates,
hould consider the necessity of main
aiming efficient transportation and ex-
ensions OF facilities, the relation of
expenses TO rates and the rights Of
hippers, stockholders and creditors of
he roads.
6. The Interstate Commerce Commits
ion should be invested with the pow
T TO fix the rates for carrying mails.
I. The federal government should
ave exclusi, power to supervise the
ssue Of stocks and bonds by railroad
arriers engaged in interstate and for
ign commerce.
s. The law should recognize the es- !
ential difference between things which
estrain trade in the case of ordinary \.
mercantile concerns and those which
estrain trade in the case OF common .
arriers The question Of competition
not the only fair criterion. .
o. The law should expressly provide |.
or the meeting and agreement OF traf-
&c or other officers of railroads in re-
pect of rates or practices. This
hould, however, be safeguarded BY J
equlring the agreements TO be filed I!
Nth the Interstate Commerce Commits /;
ion and 10 be subject to be disapproy- /:
q by II. !;
my legal proposition" Mr.. Thorn :
aid. lis that the Constitution as IL )
ow is eiyy full authority TO Congress :
, regulate the inltrumentalities Of in.
erstate commerce In all their parts
( the power Of regulation is to reach
he public requirements, It must be co /
Extensive with the instrumentalities Of r.
Mr.. Thorn explained that the roads il