The Nezperce herald. (Nezperce, Idaho) 1900-1957, 1916-12-07

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Of interstate comrercs Commission
Washington. Nov - Ten member
of Congress. i've senators and nv
members Of the House Of Representa-
tises. began here today an Inquiry int
the subject 81 public control and su
g,eryision Of railroads that may lead t,
the revOlutionizing OF the whole schem.
Of governmental regulation 0f the coun
try's transportation lines. incidentally
the committee Is 10 look into the ques
lion ~ government ownership u rail
Ways. telephone and telegraph lines
and express companies
The members 81 the COMMITTEES
which viii conduct this important IN
resligation are senator Newiands Of
.Neyasla. chairman: Senators Robinson
Of Arkansas. Underwood Of Alabama
4 cnmmlns ~ Iowa and Brandegee OF
connHcficuf. and Representatives AID.
amson o. Georgia. Sims OF Tennessee,
cull0p o. Indiana. Esch Of Wisconsin
an Hamilton Of Michigan The in
quiry MAS recommended by president
Wilson ia his message 10 Congress ia
December ~ last year lie described
as It's purpose 70 determine what could
be done for betfering the conditions
under which the railroads are operated
aud Tor making them more useful serV-
ants ~ che country as a whole"
pronainent Men as witnesses.
Ia onIer 10 obtain the views of All
interests affected by the operations Or
The transportation lines the committee
has invited prominent shippers. bank
ers. Representatives of commercial or
ganizafions. railway, executives. econo-
mists and others 10 appear before them
The first 70 Ike heard are railroad
commissioners ~ various states who
l,egan their evidence today. Their
testimony Is direrted chieny to oppos-
ing any enlargement. II the federal
authority over romnNrce that would
defraci from the powers now exercised
81 state bodies They mlll he followed
shortly hy officials of railway labor
organizations who arr expected 10 reg
lister their opposition 20 the increase
OF governmental authority over wages
and conditions ~ labor
Chief interest in the hearings cen.
fers IN the proposals that viii be put
forward by Representatives II the rail
roads. FOR Il Is reported that they Win
advocate an extension ~ federal au-
fh0rssy over rates and securities to the
practical exclusion ofsSiate control OF
these matters. tits understood also thar
they VIII 80 on record IN faror 81 fed
eral incorporation Of all railroad lines.
Legislative Program Of Railroads.
From an authoritative source Is OBJ
talned the following outline Of the leg
lslaflye program which the railroads
viii ask the committee % consider Ia
it, Investigation: They will cndeavor
10 demonstrate 10 the commission that
one Or the principal defects IN the pres
ent system Of railroad regulation Is
the lack 81 coordination resulting from
the simultaneous and conflicting regii-
lation Nv the federal goverpment and
~ the IS states They viii. therefore.
ask that entire governmental control
~ 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
locai public utilities As part Of this
plan. compulsory system II federal
Incorporation Is to be recommended.
accompanied by federal supervision 81
railroad stock aud bond issues
4 reorganization Of the Interstate
Commerce Commission will he asked.
la order 10 enable the commission prop.
eriy 70 exercise its Increased powers.
Il Is also proposed that the preparation
and prosecution Of cases against the
railroads shall he delegated to some
other agency Of the government. posi-
bis the Department of Justice. 80 that
the commission may devote its ener
giles to its administrative functions.
with the commission thus relieved /
NJ some OF It's present duties and equip /
ped to handle lis business more prompt
IN. the railroads win urge that the pc
Rod during which the commission may |
now suspend proposed increases IN
rates NE ftNNttN AloAA tNtt HioNAHr W i
n days with provision for reparation
10 he paid to the shippers II the ad.
vance shall be declared unreasonable.
They viii also ask that the commits
sion be given the power to prescribe
minimum a. well as maximum rates
90 that In meeting complaints of dis
the commission may order
he advance OF rate which Il consid.
.rs too low
One OF the most important recon-
fer which the railroads
win aux favorable consideration Is
that the commission be specifically /
TO take into account IN
rate regulation the effect Of rates
npon total earnings IN the light Of ex-
penses.
While the Newlands Committee Is
under the resolution Great
ng It. 10 submit report hy January
; next. it Is not anticipated that the
viii have come anywhere I
n -. =. ..s.x.. s.taatfnsg 4fA In fqarn than