Americus times-recorder. [volume] (Americus, Ga.) 1891-current, 1917-03-29
RAILROAD SITUATION
is NOW LARGELY
UP TO CONGRESS
Must Share Responsibility In
Future Development,
ROBERT S. LOVETT'S Views

Qualification of Regulation Is Essential
A Complete, Harmonious, Consistent
and Related System Needed-Federsl
Incorporation of Railroads by Gener-
al Law Favored.
Washington, March 2G.-Respouslbil-
ity for the railway development Of the
country. for providing necessary trans
portation facilities to care for the grow
ing business and population Of the
country, now rests largely with con
gress and not entirely with the rail
road managers. This was the state
ment If Judge Robert S. Lovett, chair
man OF the executive committee of the
Union Pacific system, to the Newlands
Joint congressional committee when
that body resumed its inquiry into
the subject of railroad regulation this
week
In making this statement of the
changed conditions of the railroad sit
uatiOH Judge Loyett undoubtedly had
in mind the decision of the supreme
court on the Adamson law, handed
down last week, which establishes the
right Of the federal government to fix
railroad wages and to prevent strikes
This decision is regarded by railroad
mel aud lawyers as marking an epoch
iii th, development of transportation
in the United States.
"H" have our share of responsible
ity, said Judge Loyett, but it rests
primarily on congress. When the gov
erna!, ut regulates the rates and the
final al administration Of the rail
roads the borrowing of money and the
issue of securities 1t relieves the
railroad officers Of the responsibility OF
pro ing and developing transporta-
ton stems, except within the limits
Oft revenue that can be realized from
such ates and under such restrictions.
Il r a country such as ours, for a
pee, situated as we are. to blunder
ulo. with a series Of unrelated, incon-
sistt I, conflicting statutes enacted by
different states without relation to
each other, instead of providing a com
plete and carefully studied and pre-
par ! system Of regulation for bust
uess nat is so vital to the life of the
nation is worse than folly"
r. ,ummed up the present problems
aud difficulties Of the railroads as fol
lows.
Iir,t-The multiplicity of regula-
tIan' hy the several states with respect
- "a issue of securities, involving de-
e iu!s aud conflicting state policies gen
erl dangerous and possibly disas-
tro{.g
ad.-The state regulation OF
rat, in snrh a manner as to unduly
reduce revenues, 10 discriminate in IA
vor # localities and shippers within
its own borders as against localities
and shippers in other states and to dis
III, md disarrauge the structure of
intci Ite rates.
Third.-The inability of the Inter
stale commerce Commission, whoever
the commissioners may be, to perform
the asst duties deyolving upon it I'M
der existing laws, resulting in delay
which should never occur In CONNER
ciaI matters-and compelling the com
lu,~>.uueTs 10 accept the conclusions of
tiitir employees as final IN deciding
nl.ttr.s Of great Importance to the
'o....acrcial aud railroad interests OF
"a, iItry
f. ulth.-The practical legality that
las hrcn accorded couspiracies to tie
up aud suspend the operation Of the
rai'r'ads of the country by strikes and
.nce and the absence Of any law
t. r-uipel the settlement Of such dis
~ '"@ by arbitration or other judicial
ul.in,. as all other issues between citi-
:rl> in civilized states ave to he set
tied
II th.--1hc phenomenal increase in
thr taxation Of railroads ia recent
9ca.s.
THE cumulative effect OF
these conditions upon the investing
public. to which railroad companies
must look for the capital necessary to
continue development
We believe that the uuification Of
regulation is essential. said Judge
Invctt "And that With the rapid In
ere. ~ of state commissions in recent
wears congress will In time be CEN.
peeled to exercise its power in the
premises 70 unity regulation there
sL.sl''d he complete, harmonious. con
Sttrut and related system We be
Ees the best II not the only practical
plaI. is the federal Incorporation OF
~aiirouds by general law. which VIII
make incorporation hereunder com
.,ulSory, thus imposing on all railroad
"onlpauies throughout the United
States the same corporate powers and
restriC tons with respect to their fnan-
v,al operations and the same duties
aud obligations TO the public and the
government, so that every investor will
know precisely what every railroad
'orporation may and may not lawfully
do
Judge Lovett contended that the so
luton OF these problems and difficult
ties rested with congress. He told the
-Ommittee that under the constitution
The authority Of the federal govern
meut is paramount, that congress has