Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1916-09-12
RAILROADS DRAW UP ]
PLAN5.E()R PR0B[RS
GATHERING FACTS TO LAY BE-.
FORE COMMERCE COMMITTEE
OF CONGRESS-.
WORK MAY REQUIRE
YEAR, DUE IN JANUARY
Transportation Questions in Every
Phase to BE Taken Up-comm'ttee
Hearino. Begin Nov. 2o-Government
Ownership TO 30 lneIuded-senator
Cummins Member OF Comm'tsee'

Washington, Sept. 12.-The greatest
investigation into the railroad ana
transportation problem that ever mas
been undertaken in this country VIII
be begun here Nov. 20, by joint suo-
committee Of the interstate commerce
oo,,,+ees of senate and house.
Prior to the recent controversy pe-
tween the railroads and tralnIhel'' ~
minating in a threatened strike, anu AZ
forcing thru congress the elshe-ho".
measure, it was plain this rorthcoii,ne
investigation would be of far-reachlhs
importance. The troubles OF the foauo
and their employees and the oisc'osu'e
~ the helplessness of the public with
great tieup imminent have served 10
give the inquiry added moment.
MAY Take Year For Work.
Altho the joint resolution unoer
which the investigation will be mace
provides for report on or Deiore Tue
second Monday in January It Is PROV
able the joint subcommittee VIII MAXI
only preliminary report then ana
will require at least year ior ls
work. :. l..
when the subcommittee meets It is
not unlikely it will decide hrst 10 m
yestigate what legislation Is needed 10
meet the wage situation ana TO haAe
1t impossible to bring on the nation
such transportation crisis as the one
thru which it has just passed.
Senator Oscar w. Underwood, OF
Alabama. who is on the subcommittee,
has urged on the floor OF the senate
that the interstate commerce commits
sion be clothed with the power TO NIX
wages of employees OF Interstate ran
roads This will be considered by the
subcommittee
COMMITTEES Given Wide Scope.
Moreover, President Wilson's pro-
cram Of LEGISLATION which he proposed
With the eight-hour measure, has not
Va, been enacted. Powerful sentiment
EXISTS In both houses in favor OF con-
sidering It's principal features next De-
cember.
The terms Of the resolution under
which the Joint subcommittee or COM
mission is acting are so broad tnat
there is almost no transportation PROD
lem which It can not study. The SUD-
committee Is required to investigate
the following:
I Governmental control and regu-
,ation Of Interstate and foreign trans
portation.
. The efficiency Of government
control compared with government
ownership and operation.
The efficiency Of the existing
system in protecting the rights OF
shippers and carriers and in promot-
ing the public interest.
The incorporation or control OF
incorporation OF carriers and all pro-
nosed changes in the organization OF
the interstate commerce commission
and the act to regulate commerce.
The inquiry will reach such public
utilities as telegraphs. the wireless.
cables, telephones and express COM
panies. Carriers in general are in
Guided.
Uniform Control Railroad Aim.
Back Of the inquiry looms move
ment on the part Of the railroads to
have themselves put more and more
completely under federal control as
distinguished from the present dual
system Of control by the federal gov
eminent and the states.
At the same time, state railroad and
utility commissions, concerned over
the agitation for federal control and
Jealous Of state rights, are fighting
|, against liberalization.
The railroads already have we'll de-
fined plans for the legislation they will
advocate before the joint subcommit-
tee. They will work for national in
corporation, for increased federal regu-
lation in various directions, and for en-
largement Of the Interstate commerce
commission and the subdivision Of It's
work among subcommittee. Federal
control Of railroad security issues will
be favored by the roads under such
terms as they deem acceptable.
Government Ownership Included.
The resolution requires an investi-
CATION into government ownership Of
railroads and other public utilities in
Interstate service and this end Of the
inquiry promises to be highly inter-
esting. When the investigation was
first proposed, the effort was made to
keep government ownership out Of it.
But the friends Of government owner
ship in congress insisted and succeed
ed in having it included.
Pending the report of the Joint sub
comittee 1t Is the purpose to hold up
railroad and transportation legislation
as far as possible. This will not,
however, prevent legislation growing
out OF the threatened strike, especially
if the subcommittee makes prei,nin-
airy report thereon. Moreover, Presi-
dent Wilson Is expected to renew his
effort to get authority to enlarge the
interstate commerce commission from
seven members to nine, and tho there
is strong opposition he may succeed
next winter.
Tour Of Country Abandoned.
Shippers, state commissions, mem
fbers Of congress who fear railroad at
tempts to influence legislation and
other elements are watching the forth
coming inquiry with keen attention
They are apprehensive that railroad
pressure on the subcommittee may
give q slant to the recommendations
which will be adverse to the public
interest.
Personnel Of Subcommittee.
The senate members of the commit
tee are Senators Frank G. Newlands
OF Nevada joseph r. Robinson, Of
Arkansas, and Oscar w. Underwood.
OF Alabama. democrats: and A. B.
Curnmins, of Iowa. and Frank B. Bran
degee, Of Connecticut. republicans.
The house members are Representa-
tives w. G. Adamson of Georgia, T. w.
SINS OF Tennessee. and w. A. Cullop
81 Indiana. democrats; and F. t.
Hamilton Of MICHIGAN and John j.
Esch OF Wisconsin republicans.
Senator Newlands. chairman otsthe
senate intersfs.c commerce committee
50. ~, o irnan of tha s,,hrnynmits,.a
II s \