The Pageland journal. [volume] (Pageland, S.C.) 1911-1978, 1916-11-29
CONGRESSIONAL
COMMITTEE BEGINS
RAILWAY INQUIRY
Proposed by President to Bet
ter Condition of Carriers.
MAY CHANGE PRESENT SYSTEM


Federal Incorporation, Supervision Of
Securities and Extension of Authority
of Interstate Commerce Commission.
Washington. Nov. 2O-Ten members
members of the House Of Representa-
tves, began here today an inquiry into
the subject OF puOlic control and su-
pervision Of railroads that may lead to
the revolutioniZing of the whole scheme
of governmental regulation of the coun-
try's transportation lines. Incidentally
the committee Is to look into the ques-
ton of government ownership OF rail-
ways, telephone and telegraph lines
and express companies.
The members Of the committee
which will conduct this important in
veStiEation are Senator Newlands OF
Nevada, chairman: Senators Robinson
| Of Arkansas. Underwood Of Alabama
| Cummins Of Iowa and Brandegce of
Connecticut. and Representatives Ad-
amson of Georgia. Sims Of Tennessee.
Cullop of Indiana. ESch OF Wisconsin
an Hamilton Of Michigan. The i'll
| quiry 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 betterinC the conditions
under which the railroads are operated
and for making them more useful scrv-
ants OF the country as whole
Prominent Men as Witnesses
In order to obtain the views of all
interests affected by the operations of
the transportation lines the committee
has invited prominent shippers. bank
ers, representatives Of commercial or
ganiZations, railway executives. econo-
mists and others to appear before them
The first to he 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 he followed
shortly hy officials Of railway labor
organizations who are expected to reg
ister 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 1t Is reported that they will
advocate an extension of federal au-
thor1ty over rates and securities to the
practical exclusion of state control of
these matters. 1t is understood also that
they Will go on record IN favor OF fed
eral incorporation Of all railroad lines
Legislative Program of Railroads.
From an authoritative source is OBJ
tained the following outline of the leg
iSlative program which the railroads
VIII ask the committee to consider in
! its investigations: They will endcavor
TO demonstrate to the commission that
one of the principal defects in the pres
ent system Of railroad regula ton Is
the lack of coordination resulting from
the simultaneous and conflicting regu.
lation by the federal government and
by the rs states. They will, therefore.
ask that entire governmental contro!
or the rates ana practices of interstate
carriers. except purely local matters.
be placed in the hands Of a federal
body so that Interstate traffic may be
regulated without reference to state
lines. leaving to the state commissions
jurisdiction only over local matters and
local pubic utilities. AS part OF this
plan. compulsory system Of federal
incorporation is to be recommended.
accompanied by federal supervision of
railroad stock and bond issues
reorganization of the Interstate
Commerce Commission will be asked
In order to enable the commission prop
erly 10 exercise its increased powers
1t Is also proposed that the preparation
and prosecution Of cases against the
railroads ShHii lie delegated 10 some
other agency Of the government. posi-
bly, the Department of Justice. so that
the commission may devote it's ener
@ics to its administrative functions.
With the commission thus relieved
of some Of its present duties and eouip.
ped to handle its business more prompt
ly. the railroads will urge that the ne
Yiod during which the commission NAV
now suspend proposed increases I'm
rates be reduced from ten months to
80 days. with provision for reparation
to he paid to the shippers If the ad.
vance shall he declared unreasonable
They will also ask that the commits
| sion be given The power to prescribe
| minimum as well as maximum rates
so that in meeting complaints OF dis
elimination the commission may order
the advance Of n rate which It consid.
| erS too low.
One of the most important recon-
| mcndations for which the railroads