The Washington times., 1916-04-08

form bill of lading among the subjects
of this Investigation.
Tho whole business has now got to
tho critical stage. II there Is going to
be legislation at this session; II must
he made part of the legislative program
without further delay. 1t Is in the hope
OF getting the President to insist on ac-
tion that the National Industrial Traffic
League has asked him for hearing
next week
The semi-annual meeting of this
league is now In session at Baltimore.
and Its representatives are coming to
Washington Monday and Tuesday next
for conference of railroad representa-
tiven on this subject. Following this
they will be received by the President
on Wednesday. 1t is hoped that 400 to
$50 of them viii come.
Issue Rendered Acute.
Tho issue between Chairman Adamson
and the shippers has been rendered
acute as the result of correspondence
between Mr.. Adamson and Francis b.
James, who Is chairman of the COM
inittee on commerce, trade. and COM
merclal law OF the American Bar Asso-
Liation.
Mr.. James asked that a special meet
ing of the Adamson committee be held
April ~ to consider the subject In
reply, he received a letter that was not
particularly impressive for courtesy and
amiability.
Chairman Adamson in part wrote:
regret to advise you that 1t
is impossible. Our committee has
reg llar program for attending
to business. and II will probably
reach the subject of interstate.
commerce regulation before many
months, and 1 have already advised
you that you will be given due ami
h.a
subject mentioned In your letter.
The committee cannot do every
thinG at once. and II cant sit dur
inE the sessions OF the House.
Chairman James Reply.
Replying to this curt communica-
tion. Mr. James said. in part:
notice that your committee
will probably reach the subject of
interstate commerce regulation be-
fore many months" by that tiinc
Congress will have adjourned and
the innction of the House Commit
tee on Interstate and Foreign COM
mcrce will have killed this much
needed legislation for a third time.
Bar assCcla tions and commercial
organizations representing at least
$4,000 shippers and others have
indorsed this measure. These In
feel that this measure has been
killed twice by inactioh on the
rart OF the House committee.
These interests are now thorough
| ly aroused. and have carried the
the matter to the President of the
! United States. The President has
arranged to receive these repre-
sentatives of 100000 shippers and
ether interests.
1t will be necessary to point out
tc the President that this bill has
twice unanimously passed The Sem
80, that II has received the en-
dorscment OF 50N RIO shippers and
others. and that 1. seema impossible
House st ocDiteH cSDm on and md tRat "t' commits on e
tee seems disposed to kill 1t the
| third time by non-action.
Delegation to Call.
| ] know that you will at least do
the courtesy to receive this samo
delegation If such delegation calls
on you. This delegation would like
to call on you Wednesday afternoon.
April II. will thank you II you
will advise mo whether you Will re-
ceive the delegation.
l do not want you to take this
letter as in any sense a criticism,
but do not think you really realize
| the practically universal demand
for this measure. This measure as
m intrastste measure has been
endorsed by the commissioners on
uniform State laws In national con-
ference. which body Is made up OF
representatives appointed by tho
governors of practically every State
and other territories, insular and
Isthmian possesslons.l
There Is a well-de4ned feeling that 4
Mr.. Adamson receives the committee oI
Wednesday there will be a sizzling time
Report says that the House committee
digging bOmb-provf entrenchments an
establishing emplacenents for heav