The Guthrie daily leader. [volume] (Guthrie, Okla.) 1893-1996, 1916-12-27

miltees of ihe two honses are charged
with the important duty Of preparing
ana presenting the legislation asked
for hy President Wilson TO make i'm
possible n railroad strike without pre-
yious investigation This will leave
litHc or 10 time for the consideration
of tine general questions of railway
regulation.
Country Wants Something Done.
Members of Congress and others
who are interested in the inquiry un
derta,cn hy the Newlands Committee
insist that there is 10 intention Of
abandoning it.
1t seems doubtful. indeed, If the
country would permit the matter to
be dropped if there We're evidence Of
desire ON the part Of Congress to do
50. The nationwide evidences of in
tcrcst evoked by the initiation of the
Newands inquiry show that the peo
nle of the country shippers consum
ors and investors. rs well as railway
men themselves are alive to the fact
flint the railway situation Is highly un
satisfactory aud that steps must be
taken without unnecessary delay to
make II possible for the railroads TO
uecl the growing needs Of the nation.
From reports received here it seems
as though almost every commercial or
ganzation 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 local and
state commercial bodies in every part
Of the country have committees en-
gagged in study Of the problem and
have indicated a desire TO come here
and present their views, National or.
ganizations of manufacturers, lumber.
men, coal operators, wholesale and re.
tail dealers, have expressed through
resolutions their desire for the uniiica-
tion Of the system Of railway rcgua.
ton. The National Industrial Trahio
League, speaking from the viewpoint
Of shippers using the railways, has
indorsed exclusive federal regulatlo'
providing it is accomplished in such
way rs TO give full protection ana
promp.adiustment IN matters relating
70 transportation within the states.
Many interests Studying Problem.
All these organizations represent pri.
mamly the shippers of the country. but
they are not the only ones who are
taking hand in the discussion. The
investors of the nation, through their
own associations and through commit
tees representing the savings banks ana
other financial organizations, are IRE
pairing to show the necessity of imnroy.
ing railroad credit and protecting the
rights Of those whose money is invest
ed in railway securities Finally the
railroads themselves. being vitally con
eerued jn the improvement Of existing
conditions are planning to submit their
views through their executives, oper
atng officials and traffic experts and
10 assert thcir willingness to accent far
reaching federal regulation along lines
that will enable them to attract capltal
and TO provide the facilities needed for
the prompt aud efficient handling of
the countrg's transportation business.
Main Trouble Is Too Many Masters.
Not all of these interests are in ac.
cord aS 10 the remedies that should he
adopted There seems 10 be 4 general
agreement. however that many of the
difficulties which confront the railroads
md which make It impossible for them
to meet the requirements of the ma
lions commerce promptly, and satisfac-
torily arise from the haphazard and
oflrir Sdhfietihg measures Of regulation
tltasiRavs beeh9 Adopted from time to
tiihe lbyIiIiie feiernl soyernrieht and the
fory-eight states and that what is
needed is well ordered systematic
scheme of federal regulation that shall
cover The whole country and make II
possible for the railroads to provide the
extensions and improved facilities 80
hadly needed. while at the same time
protecting fully the public interests.
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