The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1916-11-23
CONGRESSIONAL
COMMITTEE BEGINS
RAILWAY INQUIRY
Proposed by President 10 Bat-
Tor Condition Of Carriers.
MAY CHANGE PRESENT SYSTEM
Officials OF Roads Prepared 20 Advocate
Federal Incorporation, Supervision OF
Securities and Extension OF Authority
Of Interstate Commerce Commission.

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Washington. Nov %. Ten members
Of Congress. i've Senators and five
members Of the House OF Representa-
Z tiyes began here today an inquiry into
The subject Of public control aud su
pervision OF railroads that may lead to
he reyolutionizlng OF the whole scheme
/ " governmental regulation of the coun'
try's transportation lines. incidentally
\ The committee is TO look into the ques-
I don of government ownership Of rail-
ways, telephone and telegraph lines
and express companies
The members OF the committee
which will conduct this important In.
vestigation are Senator Newlands OF
Nevada, chairman; Senators Robinson
| Of Arkansas. Underwood OF Alabama.
Cummins OF Iowa and Brandegee of
Connecticut. and Representative Ad-
amson OF Georgia Sims of Tennessee,
Cullop OF Indiana, Esch OF Wisconsin
AMI Hamilton OF Michigan. The in
quiry 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 bettering the conditions
under which the railroads are operated
and for making them more useful serv-
ants of the country as 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
ganizations, railway executives, econo-
mists and others to appear before them.
The first to be 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
detract from the powers now exercised
by state bodies. They will be followed
organizations who are expected to 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 be put
forward by representatives of the rail-
roads, for 1t is 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. 1t is understood also that
they will 90 on record IN 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
islatiye program which the railroads
will ask the committee to consider in
Its 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
carriers, 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, compulsory system Of federal
is to be recommended,
accompanied by federal supervision of
'ailroad stock and bond issues.
\ reorganization of the Interstate
Commerce Commission will be asked,
n order to enable the commission prop.
'rly to exercise its increased powers.
[ Is also proposed that the preparation
nd prosecution of cases against the
allroads shall be delegated TO some
ther agency Of the government, possis
ny the Department Of Justice SO that
he commission may devote its ener
les to It's administrative functions.
With the commission thus relieved
I some OF its present duties and equip
ed 10 handle its business more prompt !
:, the railroads will urge that the pc {
Tod during which the commission may
ow suspend proposed increases in I
ates he reduced from ten months to |
0 days with provision for reparation ,
, be paid TO the shippers II The ad !
ance shall be declared unreasonable
They will also ask that the commits
ion be given the power to prescribe
minimum a. well as maximum rates |
, that IN meeting complaints Of dis !
the commission may order /
70 advance Of a rate which il c0nsid.
* too low
one OF the most important recon
icndatiuns FOR which the railroads
ul ask favorable consideration Is
iat the commission BE- specifically y
lthOrized to take into account in
lie regulation the effect II rates
Don total earnings 10 the light Of ex- Q
anscs a
While the Newlands Committee Is y
qu!red, under The resolution Great
z H. 10 submit a report by January :
L. 4