West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1916-11-30


Washington, Nov. 20-Ten members
or Congress, FIVE Senators and five
members OF the House OF Representa-.
uves. began here today an inquiry into
the subject OF public control and SUI
pervision OF railroads that may lead tC
the reyolutionizing OF the whole scheme
or governmental regulation OF the coun-
try's transportation lines. Incidentally
the committee is 10 look into the ques-
ton 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 Representatives Ad.
amson OF Georgia. Sims OF Tennessee
Cullop OF Indiana. Esch OF Wisconsin,
and Hamilton OF Michigan. The in.
Quiry was recommended by President
Wilson In his message to Congress I'm
December OF last year. He described
as It's purpose to determine what could
be done "for lettering the conditions
under which the railroads are operated
and for making them more useful serv-
ants or 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
| CARNATIONS, 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 oppus-
| Ing any enlargement OF the federal
authority over commerce that would
detract from the powers now exercised
by state bodies. They will he followed
shortly by officials OF railway labor
| organizations who are expected to reg
| lister their opposition to the Increase
| OF governmental authority over wages
and conditions Of labor
Chief interest I'm the hearings cen.
ters In the proposals that will be put
| forward by representatives OF the rail
| roads. for IL 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 go 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
islative program which the railroads
/ will ask the committee TO consider In
Its investigation: They VIII 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 As 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 a federal
body so that interstate traffic may be
| regulated without reference to state
| lines, leaving TO the state commissions
| jurisdiction only over local matters and
| local public utilities. As a part of this
plan, a compulsory system OF federal
incorporation is to be recommended.
accompanied by federal supervision of
railroad stock and bond issues.
A reorganization OF the Interstate
| Commerce Commission will be asked.
In order to enable the commission prop
| erly to exercise its increased powers
1t Is also proposed that the preparation
and prosecution OF cases against the
railroads shall be delegated to some
other agency OF the government. posi-
bly, the Department OF Justice. so that
the commission may devote its ener
| giles to its administrative functions.
With the commission thus relieved
| OF some of its present duties and eduIp
| ped TO handle its business more PROMPT
| ly, the railroads will urge that the nc
| Rod during which the commission NAV
now suspend proposed increases I'm
rates be reduced from ten months TO
90 days, with provision for reparation
TO be paid to the shippers II the al
vance shall be declared unreasonable.
They will also ask that the commits
sion be given the power Ia prescribe
minimum as well as maximum rate
so that I'm meeting complaints Of dis
| elimination the commission may order
the advance OF rate which II consid
| crs too low.
One Of the most important recon
mendatlons for which the railroads
Will ask favorable consideration Is
that the commission he specifically
authorized TO take into account i'm
rate regulation the effect ~ rates
upon total earnings in the light Of ex-
pBnses.
While the Newlands COMMITTEES is
required, under the resolution Great
Ing II, to submit a report by January
2 next, Il Is not anticipated that the
Committee Will have come anywhere
near completing IT, labors then.