The Era-leader. [volume] (Franklinton, La.) 1910-current, 1916-12-07
CONGRESSIONAL
COMMITTEE BEGINS
, RAILWAY INQUIRY
Proposed by President TO Bet-
Tor Condition Of Carriers.
MAY CHANGE PRESENT SYSTEM

Officials 81 Roads Prepared 70 Advocate
Federal Incorporation, Supervision OF
Securities and Extension Of Authority
Ut Interstate Commerce Commission
Washington, Nov. z0.-Ten members
St Congress, FIVE Senators and i've
members of the House Of Representa-
tEes, began here today an inquiry into
the subject Of public control and su'
perv1sion OF railroads that may lead to
tho reyolution1zlng Of the whole scheme
Of governmental regulation of the coun-
Hy's transportation lines. incidentally
tho committee is to look into the qles'
tiun Of government ownership Of rail-
ways, telephone and telegraph lines
and express companies.
the members Of the committee
which will conduct this important IN,
restlgation 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
AMI Hamilton OF Michigan. The In.
oulry was recommended by President
Wilson IN his message to Congress IN
December Of last year. He described
as its purpose to determine what could
be done "for bettering 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 to obtain the views Of al
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 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 to 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 it is reported that they viii
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 60 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 will 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 49 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 q federal
body so that Interstate traMe 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.
It 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 50 that
the commission may devote its ener.
gtes to its administrative functions.
With the commission thus relieved
Of some Of its present duties and equip
ped to handle its business more prompt
~, the railroads will urge that the pc.
Rod during which the commission may
now suspend proposed increases in
rates be reduced from ten months to
60 days, with provision for reparation
to be paid to the shippers II the ad-
vance shall be declared unreasonable.
They will also ask that the commits
sion he given the power to prescribe
minimum a. wen as maximum rates
80 that IN meeting complaints Of dis
elimination tho commission may order
the advance Of q rate which a consM-
en- too low
One Of the most important recon,
mendations for which the railroads
WI ASH favorable consideration is