Crittenden record-press. [volume] (Marion, Ky.) 1909-191?, 1917-04-12
RAILROAD SITUATION
IS NOW LARGELY
UP TO CONGRESS
ROBERT S. lOvETT'S VIEWS
"Uniheation Of Regulation 10 Essential"
A Complete, Harmonious, Consistent
and Related System Needed-Federsl
Incorporation Of Railroads by Gsnsr.
al Law Favored.

al Law Favored.
Washington. March e Response
bllity for the railway development of
the country, for providing necessary
transportation facilities 10 care for the
growing business and population OF
the country, now rests largely with
congress and not entirely with the rail.
road managers This was the state
ment Of Judge Robert $. Loyett, 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
uation Judge Lovett 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 tx
railroad wages and to prevent strikes.
This decision is regarded by railroad
men and lawyers as marking an epoch
In the development OF transportation
| in the United States
I'VE have our share Of responsibility,
said Judge Lovett, but 1t rests prima.
rily on congress. When the govern
ment regulates the rates and the fnan.
cial administration OF the railroads, the
borrowing Of money and the issuance
! Of securities II relieves the railroad VI.
ncers Of the responsibility Of providing
and developing transportation systems,
except within the limits OF the revenue
that can be realized from such rates
and under such restrictions.
For q country such as ours. for a
people situated as We are, TO blunder
along with q series Of unrelated, incon
sistent, conflicting statutes enacted by
different states without relation to
each other, instead OF prov iding a com
plete and carefully studied and pre-
pared system OF regulation for q bust.
ness that is so vital to the life Of the
nation, is verse than folly"
He summed up the present problems
and difficulties Of the railroads ~ fol-
lows: -.
First.-The multiplicity Of regula-
lions by the several states with respect
to the issue OF securities. involving dc
lays and conflicting state policies gen
orally dangerous and possibly disss-
trous.
Second.-Tbe state regulation VI
rates In such manner as 10 unduly
reduce revenues. TO discriminate In ia
vor Of localities and shippers within
Its own borders as against localities
and shippers In other states and 10 dis.
turb and disarrange the structure ~
interstate rates.
Third.-The inability OF the Inter
state Commerce Commission, whoever
the commissioners may he, TO perform
the vast duties devolying upon Il I'M
der existing laws, resulting in delay
which should never occur IN CONNER
cial matters-and compelling the com
missioners 10 accept the conclusions
Of their employees as fnal In deciding
matters Of great importance TO the
commercial and railroad interests of
the country.
Fourth.-The practical legality that
has been accorded consplracies 10 lie
up and suspend the operation Of the
railroads Of the country 10y strikes aud
violence and the absence ~ any law
to compel the settlement Of such dis
putes by arbitration or other judicial
means, as all other issues between Ell
zens IN civilized states arc To lie set
tied.
Fifth.-The phenomenal increase IN
the taxation " railroads In recen,
years.
| Sllth.-The cumulative effect Of
these conditions upon the investing
public, TO which railroad companies
must look Tor the capital necessary 10
continue development
I've believe that the unlhcation ~
regulation Is essential" said Judge
Lovctt, and that with the rapid IN
crease Of stn,c commissions In recent
years congress will IN time he com
PEELED 10 exercise It's power In the
premises 10 unity regulation there
should hc ,umrlctc. harmonious. con
slstelt aud related system We le
lleve the best. II not the only praCii. al
plan. is the federal Incorporation Of
railroads by general law. which will
make Incorporation hereunder com.
pulsory. thus Imposing uu all railroad
companies throughout the United
States tie same corporate powers aud
restrictions with respect tu their Imam
clal operations nnd the same duties
and obligations to the public aud the
govcrnmri 3. So that every Investor will
know precisely what every railroad
corporation may aud MAY not lawfully
do"
Judge lovctt cuntendcd that the so
luton II these Problems aud dilncul
ties rested with congress lie told the
committee that under the constitution
the authority ~ the federal govern.
ment Is paramount tia, congress has
the power 10 lcgis'a,c for a centralized
control u railroads undtr federal char.
lers aud that Il only remBlns Tor that
hnly tu sser'lsp that Unw,r