Coulee City dispatch. [volume] (Coulee City, Wash.) 19??-19??, 1916-12-07
CONGRESSIONAL
COMMITTEE BEGINS
RAILWAY INQUIRY
Proposed by President TO Bet
ter Condition Of Carriers.
MAY CHANGE PRESENT SYSTEM

MAY CHANGE PRESENT SYSTEM
Officials of Roads Prepared to Advocate
Federal Incorporation, Supervision Of
Securities and Extension of Authority
of Interstate Commerce Commission.
Washington, Nov. 2O-Ten members
of Congress, five Senators and five
members of the House of Representa-
tives, began here today an inquiry into
the subject of public control and SUI
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
vestigation are Senator Newlands of
Nevada. chairman; Senators Robinson
of Arkansas, Underwood of Alabama
Cummins of Iowa and Brandegee OF
Connecticut, and Representatives Adj
amson of Georgia, Sims of Tennessee,
Cullop of Indiana, Esch of Wisconsin
and Hamilton of Michigan. The in
Wilson in his message to Congress III
December of last year. He described
as it's 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 all
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
tiers in the proposals that will be put
forward by representatives of the rail-
roads, for it is 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. 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
tanned the following outline Of the leg
islative program which the railroads
will ask the committee to consider in
it's investigations: 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 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 so that interstate traffic may be
regulated without reference to state
lines, leaving to the state commissions
jurisdiction only over local matters and
local public 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.
There were about 80 people pre-
sent at the box social given by the Baird
Sunday School last Thursday night. A
good program was rendered, consisting Of
speaking and songs, to, which the Rock
Rose school contributed several excellent
numbers. Rev. Devin gave Thanksglv-
ing address. There were many beautifully
decorated boxes, one representing the
MayAower ship. Chris Buob and N. E..
Davis auctioned the boxes. $Sl.25 was
realized from the sale OF the boxes, which
will be donated to the Washington
Children's Home and other worthy char
tiles as the Sunday school may desire to
help.