The Fulton County news. [volume] (McConnellsburg, Pa.) 1899-current, 1916-11-23
CONGRESSIONAL
COMMITTEE BEGINS
RAILWAY INQUIRY
Proposed BY President TO BHt-
Ter Condition Of Carriers.
MAY CHANGE PRESENT SYSTEM

oficialo Of Roads Prepared to Advocate
Federal incorporation, Supervision Of
Securities and Extension OF Authority
Of lntorstste Commerce Commission.
Washington, Nov. 2O.-Ten members
Of Congress. five Senators and five
members Of the House Of Representa-
lives, began here today an inquiry into
the subject OF public control and su-
pervislon OF railroads that may lead to
the revoutionizing Of the whole scheme
OF governmental regulation OF the coun.
try's transportation lines. Incidentally
the committee is TO look into the ques-
ton OF government ownership OF rail-
ways, telephone and telegraph lines
and express companies.
The members Of the committee
which will conduct this important III
vestlgatlon are Senator Newlands Of
Nevada, chairman; Senators Robinson
Of Arkansas. Underwood OF Alabama,
Cummlns Of Iowa and Brandegee OF
Connecticut, and Representatives Ad-
amson OF Georgia, Sims Of Tennessee,
Cullop Of Indiana, Esch Of Wisconsin
AMI Hamilton Of Michigan. The in
luiry was recommended by President
Wilson In his message TO Congress in
December of last year. He described
as It's purpose to determine what could
be done for lettering the conditions
under which the railroads are operated
and for making them more useful serv-
ants OF the country as a 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
ganizatlons. railway executives. econo.
mists and others to appear before them.
The first to he heard are railroad
commissioners OF various states who
began their evidence today. Their
testimony is directed chiefly to oppos-
ing any enlargement OF the federal
authority over commerce that would
letract from the powers now exercised
by state bodies. They will be followed
shortly by officials OF railway labor
organizations who are expected to reg.
lster their opposition to the increase
Of governmental authority over wages
and conditions Of labor.
Chief interest In the hearings cen.
ters In the proposals that will be put
forward by representatives Of the rail-
roads for It is reported that they will
advocate an extension of federal au.
thorlty over rates and securities to the
practical exclusion OF state control OF
these matters. II is understood also that
they will 90 on record I'll favor Of fed
eral incorporation Of all railroad lines
Legislative Program Of Railroads.
From an authoritative source is OBJ
tanned the following outline OF the leg
lslatlve program which the railroads
will ask the committee to consider I'm
lis investigation: They will endeavor
to demonstrate to the commission that
one Of the principal defects in the pres
ent system Of railroad regulation is
the lack OF coordination resulting from
the simultaneous and conflicting regu-
lation by the federal government and
by the IS states. They will, therefore,
ask that entire governmental control
OF the rates and practices OF interstate
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 to the state commissions
only over local matters and
local public utilities As a part Of this
plan, a compulsory system Of federal
is to be recommended.
accompanied by federal supervision Of |
railroad stock and bond issues.
a reorganization OF the Interstate |
Commerce Commission will be asked |
n order to enable the commission prop |
'rly to exercise its increased powers.
I is also proposed that the preparation
md prosecution Of cases against the |
shall be delegated to some
'ther agency Of the government, posi-.
,ly the Department Of Justice, so that
he commission may devote its ener.
lies TO its administrative functions.
With the commission thus relieved
4 some OF its present duties and equip.
Ded to handle It's business more prompt.
Y, the railroads will urge that the pc.
lod during which the commission may
low suspend proposed increases in
ates be reduced from ten months to
% days. with provision for reparation
o be paid to the shippers II the ad.
ance shall be declared unreasonable.
They will also ask that the commits
lon be given the power to prescribe
minimum as well as maximum rates
o that In meeting complaints Of dis,
the commission may order
he advance Of rate which II consld-
rs too low.
One Of the most important recon-
for which the railroads
vii ask favorable consideration Is
hat the commission be specifically
authorized to take into account in
ate regulation the effect OF rates
pon total earnings in the light OF ex-
lenses.
While the Newlands Committee is
equired, under the resolution Great.
lg 1t, to submit report by January
next, II Is not anticipated that the
Committee will have come anywhere
ear completing its labors then.