The Harrison times., 1916-12-30

ct. 'Hbi tue uPdi HIS " III Hpi w lCNuiil-
ca until after adjournment Of Congress
on March 4th IN addition to regular
routine business the commerce com
mittees of the two houses are charged
with the important duty Of preparing
and presenting the legislation asked
Tor by President Wilson to make i'm
possihlc a railroad strike without pre-
vious Investigation This will leave
little or no time for the consideration
Of the general questions Of railway
regulation.
Country Wants Something Done.
Mcmbers of Congress and others
who are interested in the inquiry un'
dertakcn by the Newlands Committee
insist that there Is no intention OF
abandoning it.
II seems doubtful, indeed. II the
country would permit the matter to
be dropped If there were evidence OF
desire on the part Of Congress to do
80. The nationwide evidences OF in
terest evoked by the initiation of the
Newlands inquiry show that the peo.
ple of the country shippers, conSum-
prs and investors, as well as railway
men themselves are alive to the fact
that the railway situation IL highly un.
satisfactory and that steps must be
il..ea without unnecessary LcldS 10
make It possible for the railroads to
meet the growing needs Of the nation.
From reports received here it seems
as though almost every commercial or
ganiZation and business interest in the
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 LEGAL and
state commercal bodies Ia every part
VI tac ceHntry have committees en-
gagsd in Stndy Of the prsblem and
have iadiostea a ae@re 10 come here
and presest their views National or
CARNATIONS Of manufacturers, lumber
men, coal operators. wholesale and re-
tail dealers. have Expressed through
resolutions their desire for the unifiea-
tiea Of the systsm Of railway regula-
tioa The National Industrial Traftic
League. speaking froW the viewpoint
Of shippers usRs the railways, ha.
indsgsed exclusive federal regulation
prsvldin. ii is accomplished in such Il
way s 10 give full pretec son ana
preApt adjustment In matters relating
~ ssportatien within the states.
Many interests Studying Problem.
All these organizations represent pri-
marily the shippers If the country, but
they are not the only snrs who are
takIsg hand in the discussion. Tho
Investors Of the natien, through their
own associations and through commit
tees representing the savings banks and
her financial orsshiza tons, are pre-,
pairing to show the necessity Of irHprov-
ing railroad credit and protecting the
rights Of those whase nsney is invest.
ed in railway securities Finally the
railroads themselves, being vitality con.
carn~d In the improvement OF existing
conditions are planning TO submit their
views through their executives, Oper
ating officials and traffic experts and
10 assert their willingness to accept far.
reaching federal regulation along lines
that will enable them to attract capital
ana to provide the facilities needed for
the prompt and efficient handling OF
The country's transportation business.
Main Trouble Is Too Many Masters.
Not all OF these interests are In ac.
cord as TO the remedies that should be
adopted There seems to be general
agreement, however, that many Of the
difficulties which confront the railroads
and which make II impossible for them
TO meet the requirements sf the ma
tons commerce promptly and satisfac
torily arise frem the haphszard and
often conflicting measures Of regulation
that have been adopted from time {,
time by the federal government and tn,
fsrty eight states and that what |,
needed Is well ordered, systematic
scheme Of federal regulation that shal
cover the whole country and make Il
possible for the railroads to provide Ia,
extensions and improved facilitie. 5,
badly needed, while at the same time