Crittenden record-press. [volume] (Marion, Ky.) 1909-191?, 1916-11-30
CONGRESSIONAL
COMMITTEE BEGINS
RAILWAY INQUIRY
Proposed by President 10 Bet
Ter Condition Of Carriers.
MAY CHANGE PRESENT SYSTEM


of Congress. five Senators ana 1--we
members Of the House OF Representa-
tiycs began here today an inquiry into
the subject Of public control and Su
perylSlon OF railroads that may lead 10
the revoutionizing of the whole scheme
of governmental regulation Of the cuun
try'S transportation lines, incidentally
the committee is to look into the pucs
ton Of government ownership Of rail
ways telephone aud telegraph lines
and express companies,
The members NJ the committee
which will conduct this important In
vestigation are Senator Newlauds ~
Nevada. chairman: Senators Robinson
Of Arkansas. Underwood Of Alabams,
CumminS Of Iowa and Brandegce OF
Connecticut. aud Representatives Nd.
amson Of Georgia. Sims Of Tennessee,
Cullop Of Indiana. ESch Of Wisconsin
and Hamilton Of Michigan. The In.
Qnry was recommended by President
Wilson In his message TO Congress IN
| December Of last year He described
as its purpose to determine what could
be- done "for lettering the conditions
under which the railroads are opernt-d
aud for making them more useful sery.
ants OF the country rs whole.
Prominent Men as Witnesses
In order To- obtain the views ~ all
interests affected 10y the operations ~
the transportation lines the committee
has invited prominent shippers, bank
ers. representatives Of commercial or
ganizations. railway executives. econo.
mists and others 10 appear before them.
The first to he heard are railroad
commissioners ~ 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
detract from the powers now exercised
by state bodies. They will be followed
shortly by ofiicials OF railway labor
organizations who are expected 10 reg
lister their opposition TO the increase
Of governmental authority over wages
and conditions OF labor.
Chief interest In the hearings cen
tiers In the proposals that will he put
forward by representatives OF the rail.
roads. for Il IL reported that they will
advocate an extension Of federal au.
thority over rates and securities to the
practical exclusion Of state control OF
these matters. II Is understood also that
they will go on record In favor of fed
eral incorporation ~ all railroad lines
Legislative Program Of Railroads.
From an authoritative source is oh.
tanned the following outline Of the leg
islative program which the railroads
viii ask the committee to consider In
It's investigation; They will endcayor
to demonstrate to the commission that
one of the principal defects In the pres
ent system ~ railroad regulation j.,
the lack Of coordination resulting from
the simultaneous and conflicting rccu
lation 10y the federal government nud
by the - state, They will. therefore
ask that entire governmental control
Of the rates and practices ~ Interstate
carriers. except uureiy local matters
be- placed In the hands " u federal
body so that interstate traffic may be-
regulated without reference Ia state
lines. leaving TO the state commissions
Jurisdiction only over local matters and
local public utilities. As a part ~ this
plan. compulsory system of federal
Incorporation Is 10 De- recommended
accompanied by federal supervision OF
railroad stock and bond issues.
A reorganization of the Interstate
Commerce Commission will be- asked
In order 10 enable the commission prop
erly ~ exercise its Increased powers
IL is also proposed that the preparation
aud prosecution NJ eases against the
railroads shall he delegated To some
other agency ~ the government. posi-
bly, the Department ~ Justice. 80 that
the commission may devote H. cner
gics IN rs administrative functions
With the commission thus relieved
NJ some Of IT, present dutic, aud equip.
ped 10 handle its business more prompt.
~. the railroads win urge that the ne
riod during which the commission may
now suspend proposed increases In
rates be reduced from ten months 10
~ days. with provision FOR PREPARATION
to be paid To the shippers II the MI
vance shall be- declared unreasonable
They will also ask that the commits
sion he given the power ~ prescribe
minimum as Well as maximum rates
so that In meeting complaints Of dis
elimination the commission may or.
der the advance of rate which II
considers too low.
One Of the most important recon
mendatlons for which the railroads
will ask favorable consideration is
that the commission he specifically
authorized 20 take into account In
rate regulation the effect of rates
upon total earnings IN the light OF OK.
penses.
While the Ncwlnnds Committee Is
required, under the resolution Great
ng H. TO submit a report by January
: next. u IL not anticipated that the
'nmmlitce viii have come anywhere
irar completing Its labors then a,
].