Clearwater Republican. [volume] (Orofino, Idaho) 1912-1922, 1917-01-05

possible railroad strike without pre-
vious investigation. This will leave |
little or no time for the consideration |
of the general questions of railway
regulation.
Country Wants Something Done.
Members of Congress and others
who are interested in the inquiry I'M
dertaken by the Newlands Committee
insist that there is no intention Of
abandoning It,
y seems doubtful. indeed If the
country would permit the matter to
be dropped if there were evidence Of a
desire on The part of Congress to do
so. The nationwide evidences of in
terest evoked by the initiation of the
NeWlands inquiry show that the PEG
pie Of the country shippers. consum-
ers and investors. as well as railway
men themselves-are alive to the fact
that the railway situation is highly I'M
satisfactory and that steps must be
taken without unnecessary delay TO
make 1t possible for the railroads to
meet the growing needs Of the nation.
From reports received here II seems
as though almost every commercial or
ganiZation 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 desire to come mere
and present their views. National or
CARNATIONS of manufacturers, lumber
men. coal operators, wholesale and re
tail dealers. have expressed through
resolutions their desire for the unifica
ton of the system of railway regula
ton. The National Industrial 1rainc
League. speaking from the viewpoint
of shippers using the railways, mas
Endorsed exclusive federal regulation
proyiding II is accomplished in such
wav as to give full protection ana
prompt adjustment in matters relating
to TRANSPORTATION within the states
MANY Interests Studying Problem.
All these organizations represent prl-
marily the shippers of the country, nut
they are not the only ones VINO are
taking a hand in the discussion. Inc
investors of the nation, through their
own associations and through commit
tees representing the savings banks ana
other financial organizations, are pre-
naring TO show the necessity of improV-
ing railroad credit and protecting the
rights Of those whose money is invest
ed in railway securities. Finally the
railroads Intensely es, being sitaIiy CON
cerned in the Improvement of existing
conditions are planning to submit then
views through their executives oper
ating officials and traffic experts arc
to assert their Willingness 10 accept FAR
reaching federal regulation along lines
that will enable Them to attract capita
and to provide the facilities needed FOL
the prompt and efficient handling o
the country's transportation business.
Main Trouble 10 Too Many Masters
Not all of these interests are i'll &C
cord az to the remedief that should %
| adopted. There seemSAto be a genera
| agreement, however, that many Of IN
| difficulties which confront the railroad
and which make IL impossible for then
TO meet the requirements of the ma
TONS commerce promptly and satisfa1
torily arise from the haphazard an
! often confli,tln measures of regulatio
that have been adopted from time I
time by the federal government and III
forty -eight states and that what
needed Is well ordered. systemati
scheme Of federal regulation that sha
cover the whole country and make
possible for the railroads to provide tn
extensions and improved facilities 9
badly needed. while at the same tim
protecting fully the public interests.