Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1916-11-20
FORESEE CLASHES
AS THE RAILROAD
HEARINGS START
interests See Conflicts Be-
tween Elements Before Con-
gressionaI Committee.
WHOLE TRANSPORTATION
SITUATION is TO COME UP
Investigating Body Meets at Capitol
and All Elements Are Represented
But the Brotherhoods.

But the Brotherhoods.
Clashes among the railroads, the rail-
road commissioners of the states, the
proponents of railroad regulation by
governmental instrumentalities and
the proponents of government owner
ship of railroads and other public utili-
ties We're foreshadowed at the first
meeting today of the joint congress
sional committee created to investigate
the entire subject of transportation in
this country and make recommended
tions to Congress for remedial legisla-
ton.
The committee met in the offices OF
the Senate interstate commerce COM
with officials of railroads. trade organ
izations, shippers organizations and
publicists who desired to be heard.
None of the big railway brotherhoods
or any of the other organizations Of
railway employees was represented by
national officials or representatives at
the meeting today. c. B. Johns OF the
Brotherhood of Engineers. OF Evans
burg, Pa, representing his local or
ganiZation. announced he wished to be
heard and said that he had not had
an opportunity to consult any OF the
ma ational officers as to their desires In
the matter of presenting testimony.
Chairman Outlines the Work.
Senator Newlands. chairman of the
Joint committee, made a statement set
ting forth the purposes of the investi-
cation and outlining the ground which
1t is expected to cover. Following this,
he called upon those present desiring
to be heard by the committee to an
nounce themselves. A large number
of witnesses gave their names.
Former Senator Bristow OF Kansas,
speaking for the National Association
Of State Railway Commissioners. gave
notice that the organization desired
to be heard, particularly with refer
ence to the proposal advanced. he said.
by the railroads to curtajl the author
ity of the state railroad commission
ers- and centralixe that authority in the
snetssted fsss that the railroads should be
heard first.
senator Underwood of Alabama inter
rupted to suggest to Mr.. Bristow that the
joint committee was there to obtain in
formation and not to stage a contest be-
tween any particular antagonists.
When 1t came time for the railway OK
ecutiveS to announce themselves, A. p.
",
counsel for the advisory committee Of rail-
way executives, gave the names of that
committee. He suggested that the rail-
raod officials would prefer not to be called
as witnesses until after the ''publicists and
economists representing the public had
been heard.
Would Prevent Needless Controversy
rs it not a fact" said Senator Cum
minis of Iowa, Il member of the joint COM
mittee. that the railroads fear that il
they propose a plan it will Immediately
cause opposition.
Mr.. Thorn admitted that this was 50.
But the joint committee will not be
prejudiced.'' said Senator Cummins
Mr. Thorn insisted that there were some
persons would oppose anything suggested
by the railroads.
'I think you misjudge the people," said
Representative Adamson of Georgia, vice
chairman of the joint committee. The
American people are proud of the railway
system Of the country and would not see
it thrown down. His remark was ap-
plauded.
not wish to be put in the position Of a
complainant or a defendant before the
committee. ''They wish to appear as
part of the public" he said. ready to
promote the best development of the
subject
The joint committee. after receiving
the names of the witnesses. adjourned.
1t was announced that hearings would
The committee met In executive ses-
sion at 2:30 o'clock this afternoon to
plan out the investigation.
These Want to Be Heard.
Among those who announced their
desire of being heard were: Advisory
committee of railway executives. Frank
Trumbull, chairman; F. H. Sisson, as
sistant chairman; B. F. Bush, A. ]. Ear
ling, Howard Elliott. W. J. Harahan,
Hale Holden, L. F. Loree. r. S. Lovett,
c. H. Markham, Samuel Rea, A. H.
Smith, F. d. Underwood, H. Walters,
Daniel Willard and A. P. Thorn, gen.
eral counsel; Amos L. Hathaway, Bos-
ton Chamber Of Commerce.: F. d. De-
brard Merchants Association of New
York: George E. Bartol. the Philadel-
phia bourse: George E. Rix. Lawrence.
Mass, Chamber of Commerce: w. F.
Garcelon, Boston; L. p. Boyle. CONNER
cial Club. Kansas City: Philip Cooley.
Philadelphia board Of trade; r. c.
Marsh and Amos Pinchot. COMMITTEES on
real preparedness: G. A Post. New
York, president of the Railway Buei-
ness Association: Judge S. H. Cowan.
Fort Worth, Tex; G. S. Maxwell, Dali
las, Tex, representing the trafhc as
sociations and live stock ASSOCIATIONS:
G. D. Heineman, Chicago, secretary OF
the National Live Stock Exchange: J.
II. Townsend. Memphis. Tenn. Hard
ware Traffic Association; w. 4. Lamb.
Chicago, representing Citrus Fruit
Growers Association of California: J.
% Love, chairman of the Oklahoma
state railway commission; Richard
Gates, Illinois; Scott j. Henderson, pub
lie service commission of Washington;
Fred Lehman, former United States So
licitor general. representing telephone
and telegraph companies; F. B. Nc
Kenna, representing the United States
Independent Telephone Companies As
sociations; Albert T. Benedict. New
York, representing the Western Union
Telegraph Company, and Thomas b
Harrison. representing the Adams and
American express companies.
Investigation Is to Include
All Transportation Lines,
Senator NeWIands Says