The daily commonwealth. (Greenwood, Leflore Co., Miss.) 1916-1919, 1916-12-21

mand Unifeation Of System Of Rail
way Rssulation-Roads Ask Fsws
Masters.
Washington, Dec. 1S.-The Congress
sional Joint Committee on interstate
Commerce. which has been cOnductinl
the inquiry into government regulatio,
and control Of transportation, las
week decided to suspend its hearing,
on the subject and adjourned. subjec,
to the call Of the chairman. because o.
the pressure Of other work before Con
gress. According to the resolution ere
ating the committee, 1t is required d
submit a report by January 9Th next
1t is understood that before that ttme
the committee will ask for an extern.
sion Of time and that the hearings viii
be resumed at a later date, when some
of those who already have appeared
before the committee will be question.
ed further and a great many Others
will be heard. 1T Is probable, howev.
er. that the hearings will not be resum.
ed until after adjournment Of Congress
N March 4th. In addition to regular
"outine business the com
nittees of the two houses are charged
With the important duty Of preparing
nd presenting the legislation asked
or by President Wilson to make i'm.
possible a railroad strike without pre-
j.ious investigation. This will leave
little or no time for the consideration
II the general questions Of railway
equation.
Country Wants Something Done.
Members of Congress and others
who are interested in the inquiry IN.
lcrtaken by the Newlands Committee
insist that there is no intention Of
abandoning It.
1t seems doubtful, indeed, II the
country would permit the matter to
be dropped If there were evidence Of 4
desire on the part of Congress to do
30. The nation wide evidences Of In.
terest evoked by the initiation Of the
Newlands inquiry show that the peo-
pie of the country-shippers, consum-
ers and investors, as well as railway
men themselves-are alive to the fact
that the railway situation Is highly un-
satisfactory and that steps must be
taken without unnecessary delay to
make it possible for the railroads to-
meet the growing needs of the nation.
From reports received here 1t seems
az though almost every commercial or
ganization and business interest in thu
country were engaged in studying the
railroad question, The Chamber Of
Commerce Of the United States has
been conducting an elaborate inquiry
into various phases Of the subject for
many months past. Many local and
state commercial bodies in every part
Of the country have committees en-
gagged in study Of the problem and
have indicated a desire to come hero
and present their views. National or
CARNATIONS of manufacturers, lumber
men, coal operators, wholesale and re-
tail dealers, have expressed through
resolutions their desire for the unlflca.
tion of the system Of railway regula-
ton. The National Industrial Traffic
League, speaking from the viewpoint
OF shippers using the railways. has
Endorsed exclusive federal regulation
providing it is accomplished In such a
way as to give full protection and
prompt adjustment in matters relating
to transportation within the states.
Many interests Studying Problem.
All these organizations represent pri.
marily the shippers Of the country, but
they are not the only ones who arc
a hand in the discussion. The
investors Of the nation, through their
own associations and through commit.
tees representing the savings banks and
other financial organizations. are pre-
to show the necessity Of improv.
Ing railroad credit and protecting the
rights Of those whose money Is invest.
ID in railway securities. Finally the
'ailroads themselves, being vitality con.
'erned In the improvement Of existing
conditions. are planning to submit their
Jews through their executives, oper.
ting officials and traffic experts and
o assert their willingness to accept far.
'eaching federal regulation along lines
hat will enable them to attract capital
nd to provide the facilities needed for
he prompt and efficient handling Of
he country's transportation busiresS.
Main Trouble 10 Too Many Masters.
Not all Of these interests are in &c.
ord as to the remedies that should be .
There seem to he a general .
greement, however, that many Of the
ificulties which confront the railroads :
nd which make 1t impossible for them Y
, meet the requirements Of the ma.
Ion's commerce promptly aud satisfac. n
)rily arise from the h~aphazard and
ften conflicting measures Of regulation
nat have been adopted from time to y
me by the federal government and the o
states and that what IL
redsd is a well ordered, systematic
,heme Of federal regulation that shall
,ver the whole country and make 1t
osslhle for the railroads to provide the
ttcnsions and improved facilities 20 d
odl, ,noJod vy1,ila ~ tl,n A..