Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1916-12-15

Railway commissionsr Thorns Points
Out Accomplishments Ct TrsnsPer-
tation Laws-Favors Regional Com
msrce Boards.

Evansville, Ind, Dec. ;16.--In an adj
dress before the central states confer
ence on rail and water transportation
here this morning, on whether regula-
Ltion of the traffic pays. Clifford Thorne'
chairman of the board OF railway COM
missioners Of Iowa, pointed out some
of the problems presented by he de-
velopment of the last half century. He
spoke particularly on the application
OF steam and electricity to Manufacture
and distribution of the necessaries and
luxuries Of life and said 1t had revolu-
tionized human industry.
"At this jnncture," Mr.. Thorne con-
tinued, ut is well for us to consider
what regulation has accomplished In
those fields from which reliable 1nior-
nation can be secured for regulation
is now on trial in the United States.
The principal achievements OF reguia-
ton NAV be thus summarized:
Rebates have been almost apohsneo;
the abuse OF the pass system mas peen
largely eliminated; DISCRIMINATION oe-
tween shippers at the same point mas
been almost wholly removed; saIe.y
and comfort of the public and OF ran
way EMPLOYEES are better cared iof'
mostly due to voluntary action OF the
railroad companies: the mileage OF
American railways has almost doupieo'
the canital stock has increased faster
than the mileage and dividends nave
increased faster than either. All uhaei
public regulation. ~.
..As to service, the regulation OF .ne
railroads has not yet been sunicien .
active but this is partly due 10 the lac.
that there has .been connict OF 1n.est
as to prices the railroads being Wns
TO give any service for which the pup
lie is willing to pay. AS to contloi y
Capitalization the federal government Z :
has accomplished nothing. but some -
the states have made substantiai pro-.
gress.
! "rhere il an ebb and flow In the
earnings of the railroads. The fscal
Years Of 1907, 1910. 1913 and the year
lust closing were all of remarkable
nrosnerity. The European war may
serve to keep earnings on high plane
for a time but, should the war; end'
That coupled with tendencies thor.
onyh,v established, would cause Pc
Rod of great depression. and falling ON
Of net revenues will probably be great
or than during any previous year.
MI. Thorne took up the defects OF
the present methods Of regulatio. ana
said:
.The-e is too muck business for the
interstate commerce commission TO at
tend to. There should be regional sub
with provisions Tor ap--
neal, in proper cases to the main COM
mission. The shipper should have tne
same right OF court review OF the de-
cision .of the commission as the rail-
road has. Where there is conflict In
rates established by state authority ana
those made by the commission ; the
matter should be determined by third
party, either the courts or a special
tribunal. The interstate commission
should be given greater power over Sc
curity issues, to prevent fraud, ana
greater power over distribution Of ears.
to lessen the evils Of shortage. The
commission should also be given great
er authority over road beds and equip
ments OF the railroads for the safety Of
the public and employees;