Evening star., 1916-11-18
A. P. Thorn Gives an Outline
of What Railways Will Ask
at Congressional Hearing

A p. Thorn, general counsel of the
Southern railway and counsel for the
railway executives advisory commit
tee, outlined before the meeting of the
National Council of the Chamber of
Commerce of the United States yester-
d. " afte. noon s3me of the suggestions
the railroad president are to make be-
fore the cong ess onal invest eating
committee " h .ch begins iss sessions at
the Capitol Monoay.
MIR. Thom's statement was regarded
as of espeelai Importance. lnasmuch as
he is, by reason o. his position as coun-
sci to the EXECUTIVES. fitted to speak
with authority as to the desires OF the
rai.rNa1S.
What Roads Will Ask For.
Mr.. Thorn said the railroads would ask
for:
A federal incorporation law for inter-
state railroads.
a measure enlarging the interstate
commerce commission and creating
regional bodies under it with original
jurisdiction in rate questions, SUBJECT
10 ap1eal by carriers or shippers to the
entire commission.
Amendment of the act to regulate
the present period of ten months dur
ing which the interstate commerce
commission m. y hold filed railroad
tarin in susp noion. and
Authority to the commission to hx
minimum as well as maximum rates,
such as it alone has at present.
History of Railroads.
Mr.. Thorn discussed the history OF
American railroads and their regula-
tion. adding:
The impression today is that the
men who manage the railroads can
only be kept in the ranks and in step
by the prick of the bayonet. Has the
time come for change in the concep-
ton of the American people on that
subject? If it has not come. if there
is no possibility of the managers of the
railroads oelng entitled to the trust
imposed on them by the people, then
there is an end of government regu-
lation and then there must be govern.
ment ownership.
I'VE stand now before the people de-
claring our belief that the work of
correction. repression and punishment
has gone far enough and that the
people must pass deliberately on the
question We stand further on the
proposition that the character of the
men in general in charge OF these in
strumentalities of commerce is such
that they are entitled to trust and
confidence, because they realize the
sanctity of their fduciary capacity"
Expect Fair Treatment.
Mr. Thorn said the railroads would
enter the coming investigation in the
belief that they would be fairly treated
by the country. knowing they could
not expect special favors, and that
they would get nowhere if they at.
tempted to ask them. and realizing that
if what they ask does not come up to
the public's rod stick their requests
will be rejected.
One of the most serious problems be~
fore the railroads. he declared. is the
question of credit. He said there is SO
little desire to invest in capital stock
of carriers that they have been forced
to borrow their money in the last few
years on mortgages or other liens that
make fixed charges, and that the dan
ger point in this sort Of financing has
been reached.
Problem Of Living Cost Not Solved.
Remarking that both great political
parties mad offered. but failed to solve
the problem Of the high cost Of living.
Mr. Thorn suggested that IL the rail.
roads were given capital to develop
tho vast territory Of the country yet
untouched tho quantities Of wheat and