The Big Sandy news. [volume] (Louisa, Ky.) 1885-1929, 1916-12-22
CONGRESSIONAL
COMMITTEE BEGINS
RAILWAY INQUIRY
Proposed by President to Dst-
tor Condition Of Carriers.
NAY CHANGE PRESENT SYSTEM
omeials Of Roads Prepared to Advooats
FEDERAL incorporation, Supervision of
Securities end Extension Of Authority
Of intsrststs comms-os commissloc.

Securities and Extension Of Authority
Of intsrststs comms-os comnisslon.
Washington. Nov. 20.-Ten members
Of Congress. Ave Senators and ave
members OF the House OF Representa-
lives. began here today an inquiry into
the subject OF public control and SD,
pervision Of railroads that may lead to
the revolutionihing OF the whole scheme
OF governmental regulation OF the coun.
tiy's transportation lines. Incidentally
the committee Ii to look into the ques-
tion OF government ownership OF rail.
ways. telephone and telegraph lines
and express companies.
The members Of the committee
which win conduct this important In
yestigation are Senator Newlands Of
Nevada. chairman; Senators Robinson
OF Arkansas, Underwood OF Alabama.
Cummins OF Iowa and Brnndegee OF
Connecticut. and Representatives Ad.
amson OF Georgia, Sims OF Tennessee.
Cullop OF indiana. Esch OF Wisconsin
an Hamilton Of Michigan The In.
quiry was recommended by President
Wilson In his message 10 Congress IN
December OF last year He described
as its purpose 10 determine what could
be done "for lettering the conditions
under which the railroads are operated
and for making them more useful serv-
ants OF the country as whole"
Prominent Men as Witnesses.
In order 90 obtain the views OF all
interests affected by the operations OF
the transportation lines the committee
has invited prominent shippers, bank.
ern, representatives OF commercial or
CARNATIONS, railway executives. econo-
mists and Others to appear before them
The FIRST 10 he heard are railroad
commissioners OF various states who
began their evidence today. Their
testimony Ii directed chiefly TO oppos-
ing any enlargement OF the federal
authority over commerce that would
detract from the powers now exercised
BY state bodies They will be followed
shortly by officials Of railway labor
organizations who are expected 10 reg.
lister their opposition to the increase
Of governmental authority over wages
and conditions OF labor
Chief interest In the hearings cen.
ters In the proposals that will be put
forward by representatives OF the rail
roads. for II Ia 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 II Is understood also that
they will 20 on record In favor OF fed
eral incorporation OF all railroad lines
Legislative Program Of Railroads.
From an authoritative source Is oh
tanned the following outline Of the leg
islative program which the railroads
WIN ask the committee 10 consider In
III Investigation; They will endeayor
TO demonstrate 10 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-
iation by the federal government and
by the 4S 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 80 that interstate traffic may be
regulated without reference TO state
lines. leaving 20 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 10 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 It's increased powers,
II 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
gies to Its administrative functions.
with the commission thus relieved
Of some OF It's present duties and equip
ped 10 handle its business more prompt.
iy, the railroads win urge that the pc
Rod during which the commission may
now suspend proposed increases In
rates be reduced from ten months TO
90 days, with provision for repnration
to be paid TO the shippers II the ad-
vance shall be declared unreasonable.
They will also ask that the commits
sion be given the power to prescribe
minimum as well as maximum rates
80 that In meeting complaints OF dis
elimination the commission may order
the advance Of a rate which II consid-
ers too low.
One Of the most important recon
mendations for which the railroads
win ask favorable consideration is
that the commission be specifically
authorized TO take into account in
rate regulation the effect OF rates
upon total earnings in the light Of ex-
penBes,
While the Newlands Committee is
REQUIRED. under the resolution Great
ing II, to submit report by January
2 next IL Is not anticipated that the