Omaha daily bee., 1916-11-20
INQUIRY INTO RAIL
PROBLEMS BEGINS
Special Committee Appointed
by Congress Will Act at
Washington Today.
MUST REPORT BY JAN. 8

Washington. Nov. l9.-Congres-
sional investigation into the broad
question OF government regulation and
control of railroads and other COM
mon carriers, suggested by President
Wilson in his opening address to the
last session, begins here tomorrow be-
fore a joint committee of senators and
representatives.
Although the investigation was au-
thorized before the threatened strike
by the four great brotherhoods, the
investigation will go into the ques-
tions which came up at that time, such
as regulation of wages by the Inter
state Commerce commission and legis-
lation to prevent similar situation.
Questions which the investigators
will take up go to the heart of The
transportation problem and the in
quiry probably will have potent in
fuence in congress on the subject of
government and ownership.
Many Interests Will Appear.
The committee is required to report
to congress by January 8, and an eff
fort may be made to put through
legislation before the session ends on
March |, after which the administra-
ton will not have its present majority
in the house.
The resolution for the investigation
came at the conclusion of many
months of effort on the part of rail-
roads and others interested in ques-
tions affecting them, to have COM
prehensive inquiry into all phases of
government control.
Suggested by President.
President Wilson in his address to
congress in December, 1915, called at
tention to the need in this language:
"The transportation problem is an
exceedingly serious and pressing one
in this country. There has from time
to time of late been reason to fear
that our railroads would not much
longer be able to cope with it sue
cessfully, as at present equipped and
co-ordinated. | suggest that it would
be wise to provide for a commission
of inquiry to ascertain by thorough
canvass of the whole question whether
our laws as at present framed and
administered are as serviceable as they
might be in the solution of the prob
lem"
Six months later the joint resolution
was adopted. 1t provides for the ap-
pointment of five senators and five
representatives ito investigate the
subject of the government control and
regulation of interstate and foreign
transportation, the efficiency of the
existing system in protecting the
rights of shippers and carriers and in
promoting the public interest, the in
corporation or control of the incor-
poration of carriers, and all proposed
changes in the organization of the
Interstate Commerce commission and
the act to regulate commerce, also the
subject of government ownership oi
public utilities, such as telegraph, wire.
less, cable, telephone, express COM
panies, and railroads engaged in inter-
state and foreign commerce and report
as to the wisdom or feasibility of gov
ernment ownership of such utilities
and as to the comparative worth and
efficiency of government regulation
and control as compared with govern.
ment ownership and operation.
Power was given the committee to sit
during a recess of congress and to
summon witnesses and to call on gov
.ernment agencies for assistance. The
sum of $4,000 was appropriated for
expenses.
Under the resolution the following
members were named on the commit
tee: Senators Newlands (chairman)
Robinson, Underwood, Cumnhns and
Brandegee and Representatives Adam
son, Sims, Cullop, Esch and Ham
ilton, all coming from the interstate
commerce committees of the two
houses.
Scope Of Inquiry.
In its announcement of the hearings
! the committee said it would consider
the subjects as follows:
"The subject Of government contro
and regulation of interstate and for
eign transportation" and under this
head:
"The efficiency of the existing sys'
tenn in protecting the rights of ship
pers and carriers and in promoting the
public interest.
"The incorporation or control o.
the incorporation of carriers.
"All proposed changes in the or.
ganization of the Interstate Commerce
commission as the act to regulate
commerce"
Under another head the committee
will consider:
"The subject of government owner
ship of all public utilities, such a.
telegraph, wireless, cable, telephone
and express companies, and railroad:
engaged in interstate and foreign com
merce," including specifically:
"The wisdom or feasibility of gov
ernment ownership.
"The comparative worth and eff
cheney of government regulation anc
control as compared with government
ownership and operation"