Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1916-11-20
CONGRESSIONAL
INVESTIGATION
INTO QUESTION OF
R. R. REGULATION
Joint Committee Of Senators and
Representatives Opens Its Ses-
sions in Washington-An 9th
er Common Carriers Will Be
Heard

vestigation into the broad question OF
government regulation and control OF
railroads and other common carriers,
/ suggested by President Wilson In his
opening address to the last session, be-
gins here tomorrow before joint COM
mittee Of senators and representatives.
Although the investigation was author
lied before the threatened strike by the
four great brotherhoods, the investigation
/ will go into the questions which came up
at that time. such as regulation of wages
by the interstate commerce commission
and legislation to prevent similar situa-
ton.
Questions which the investigators will
take UP go to the heart of the transporta-
ton problem and the inquiry probably
will have a potent influence in Congress
on the subject of government and owner
ship.
At the hearings it is expected that all
the leading railroads. telegraph, telephone
and wireless concerns. and express COM
panies as well as economists, leaders OF
labor and agriculture, shippers and bank
ers will be heard.
The committee is required to report to
Congress by January s, and an effort may
be made to put through legislation before
the session ends on March 4, after which
the administration will not have its pres
ent majority in the House.
The resolution for the investigation
came at the conclusion of many months
of effort on the part of railroads and 9TH
ers interested in questions affecting them,
to have comprehensive inquiry into all
phases Of government control.
President Wilson in his address to Con-
gress in December, 1915, called attention
to the need in this language:
1.-The transportation problem is an ex-
ceedingly serious and pressing one in this
country. There has from time to time Of
late been reason to fear that our railroads
would not much longer be able to cope
with 1t successfully, as at present
equipped and co-ordinated. I suggest
that it would be wise to provide for a
commission of inquiry to ascertain by a
thorough canvass Of the whole question
whether our laws as at present framed
and administered are as servceable as
they might be in the solution Of the pro-
blem.
1T is obviously problem that lies at
the very foundation of our efficiency as a
people. Such an inquiry ought to draw
out every circumstance and opinion worth
considering, and we need to know all
sides Of the matter if we mean to do any,
thing in the field of federal legislation.
No one. I am sure. would wish to take
any backward step. The regulation Of
the railways Of the country by Federal
commission has had admirable results
and has fully justified the hopes and ex-
pectations of those by whom the policy
of regulation was originally proposed.
The question is not what should we un-
do? 1t is whether there is anything else
we can do that would supply US with ef-
fective means, in the very process of reg
ulation, for lettering the conditions I'M
der which the railroads are operated and
for making them more useful servants OF
the country as a whole. It seems to me
that it might be the part of wisdom,
therefore, before further legislation in
this field Is attempted. to look at the
whole problem of coordination and eff
cheney in the full light of a fresh assess
ment of circumstances and opinion as a
guide to dealing with the several parts
of it,
Six months later the joint resolution
was adopted. It provides for the appoint
ment Of five senators and representatives
ito investigate the subject Of the govern
ment control and regulation Of interstate
and foreign transportation, the efficiency
Of the existing system in protecting the
rights Of shippers and carriers and in
promoting the public interest, the incor-
poration or control of the incorporation
Of carriers, and all proposed changes in
the organization of the Interstate Com
merce Commission and the act to regulate
commerce, also the subject Of government
ownership Of public utilities, such as
telegraph. wireless, cable, telephone. ex-
press companies, and railroads engaged
in interstate and foreign commerce and
report as to the wisdom or feasibility Of
government ownership Of such utilities
! and as to the comparative worth and
efficiency of Government regulation and
control as compared with government
ownership and operation" Power was
given the Committee to sit during a re-
cess of Congress and to summon wit
| nesses and to call on government agencies
appropriated for expenses.
Under the resolution the following mem
bers were named on the Committee: SEN
| ators, Newlands. chairman: Robinson,
Underwood. Cummins and Brandegee;
Representatives, Adamson. Sims. Cullop,
Esch and Hamilton. all coming from the
Interstate Commerce Committees Of the
two Houses.
In its announcement of the hearings the
Committee said it would consider the
subjects as follows:
1.-THE subject Of Government control
and regulation Of interstate and foreign
transportation" and under this head:
1.-THE efficiency Of the existing system IN
protecting the rights OF shippers and car
riers and in promoting the public inter-
est.
The incorporation or control Of the
incorporation Of carriers.
"All proposed changes in the organiza-
ton of the Interstate Commerce Commits
sion as the act to regulate Commerce"
Under another head the Committee will
consider:
"The subject of Government ownership
Of all public utilities. such as telegraph.
wireless. cable, telephone and express
companies, and railroads engaged in in
terstate and foreign commerce." including