The Meridian times. (Meridian, Idaho) 1909-1938, 1916-12-15


control OF railway lines should rest
with the federal government aud not
with the states was the claim ad-
vsnced by Alfred p. Thorn, counsel
to the Railway Executiyes Advisory
Committee, In concluding his prelim-
mary statement Of the case for the
railways before the Newlands Joi3t
Committee on Interstate Commerce.
I'VE must be efzicient as nation II
we are to deal successfully with our
national emergencies" said Mr.. Thorn,
land we must appreciate that efficient
transportation IL an essential condition
of national efficiency. IL we are to
halt and weaken our transportation
systems by state lines. by the perma-
nent imposition of burdens by unwise
regulation, we will make national eth
cheney impossible"
ststss Rights Would Net Suffer.
Mr.. Tnom cited many instances In
which shippers In one state were In
juriousiy affected by selfish regnla-
tUUN lNhDbEtu OH ihN tHAhV"An w
neighborIng states. lie polluted out
that federal regulation would be no in
vaslon, Of the rights of the states but
would be the means Of preserving the
rights which they acquired when they
entered the Union, one of which was
the right to the free movement OF their
products across state boundaries.
What the Railroads Advocate.
Thv principles which the railroads
believe should be incorporated In any
Just system Of regulation were sum-
married by Mr.. Thorn IN follows:
|. The entire power and duty OF reg
nlatlon should be la the hands Of the
national government. except as to mat
tiers so essentially local and incidental
that they cannot be used to interfere
with the efficiency Of the service or the
just rights OF the carriers.
2. As one OF the means OF accom-
plishing this. system of compulsory
federal incorporation should be adopt
ed into which should be brought all
railroad corporations engaged In inter
state or foreign commerce.
3. The Interstate Commerce Commits
sion under existing laws has too much
to do and IL charged with conflicting
functions. including the investigation,
prosecution and decision of cases. The
latter duties should be placed In the
hands OF a new body which might be
called the Federal Railroad Commits
sion. Regional Commissions should
he established In different parts OF
the country TO assist the Interstate
Commerce Commission by handling To-
cal cases.
4. The power OF the Commission
should be extended to enable 1t to pre-
scribe minimum rates and not merely
maximum rates as at present. This
would increase their power to prevent
unjust determinations.
Justice 20 Public and Roads.
s. IL should be made the duty Of the
Interstate Commerce Commission, In
the exercise Of Its powers to Ak rea-
sOnabls rates, to so adjust these rates
that they shall be just at once to the
public and TO the carriers. To this end
the Commission. In determining rates,
should consider the necessity of main
tanning efficient transportation and ex-
tensions Of facilities, the relation OF
expenses to rates and the rights OF
shippers, stockholders and creditors OF
the roads.
q. The Interstate Commerce Commits
sion should he invested with the pow
er to n1 the rates for carrying mails,
Z. The federal government should
have exclusive power to supervise the
issue OF stocks aud bonds by railroad
carriers engaged In interstate and for
elgn commerce.
4. The law should recognize the es
sentisl difference between things which
restrain trade In the case OF ordinary
mercantile concerns and those which
restrain trade ia the case Of common
carriers The question OF competition
Is not the only fair criterion.
=. The Law should expressly provide
for the meeting and agreement OF traf
nc or other officers OF railroads in re
spect OF rates or practices. 'rhi
should. however. be safeguartied b,
recurring the agreements to be tilet
, with the Interstate Commerce Commits
sion and to be subject to lie disapprov
ed by il.
My legal proposition Mr.. Tnon
said, lis that the Constitution as
) new is gives fun authority TO Congress
to regulate the instrumentalities OF III
terstate commerce in all their parts
/ II the power of regulation is TO reac
! the public requirements. it must be &C
z extensive with the instrumentalities q
Z commerce.
Mr.. Thorn explained that the road
:. are not asking either of the Comnitte
or of Congress any increase In reys
4 nues. but that they are merely askin
i the perfection of system which wi
be responsible to any need that ma
\ arise.