Mansfield mirror. (Mansfield, Wright County, Mo.) 1908-1957, 1917-03-29

and Related System Nssdsd-FsdsraI
Incorporation Of Railroads by osnsr.
al Law Favored.
Washington. March "a. - Responst-
bility for the railway development OF
the country. for providing necessary
transportation facilities to care for the
growing business and population Of
the country. u rests largely with
congress aud not entirely with the rail
road managers. THIS was the state
nlent OF Judge Robert 8. L.ovett. chair,
man of the executive committee Ut the
Union Pacific system. to the Newlands
Joint congressional committee when
that body resumed Its inquiry into the
subject OF railroad regulation this
week. .
III making this statement OF the
changed conditions Of the railroad cit
uutlon Judge I.Ovett undoubtedly had
In mind the decision Of the supreme
court On the .AiamsOn law, handed
down last week. which establishes the
right OF the federal government to nx
railroad wages and TO prevent strikes.
This decision Is regarded 10y railroad
men aud lawyers AS marking, all epoch
In the development Of transportation
IN the United States.
I'VE have our share Of responsibility"
said Judge l.Ovett. "but 1t rests priMa.
rily ON congress. When the govern.
nient regulates the rates and the fnan-
cial administration Of the railroads. the
borrowing OF money and tue issuance
Of securities It relieves the railroad OF.
icers of the responsibility Of providing
and developing transportation systems,
except within the limits Of the revenue
that can be realized from such rates
aud under such restrictions.
For II country such NJ ours. for q
people situated rs we are. to blunder
along with II series OF unrelated, incOll.
S%isteht. conflicting statutes enacted by
different states without relation "
each other, instead Of providing u com.
plete and carefully studied and pre-
pared system Of regulation for II husi.
hess that il SO vital to the life Of the
%nation, Is worse than folly"
lie sllh'nie up Tue present lfoplelns
and difficulties Of the railroads Ms fol-
lows:
first.-Ihe Mtltip'i'lty or eguia-
lions by the several states win respect
|" the issue Of securities. Involving de-
lays and conflicting state policies gen
orally dangerous and possibly disas'
trons.
sec"nd.-The state regulation OF
rates ID such n manner as to nndmly
reduce revenues. to discriminate III Ia
vor OF localities ami shippers within
It's borders as against lorallties
ana shippers III DINER states ana 10 dls-
turb anu dlstrTahse u structure OF
Interstate rates.
Ihlid.-Ihe inab'llty OF the inter
state Commerce Commission. hoeVe
the commissioners may lie, to perform
the vast duties dev"lvihg upon 1t uh'
der existing laws, resulting In delay
which should never occur III CONNER
cial matters-a nd compelling the COM.
miss0ners TO accept the conclusions
OF their employees as final ilS deciding
matters OF great Importance to the
commercial ana railroad Interests OF,
the country.
Fourth.-The practical legality that
has been accorded c0nspiracieS to tie
up II suspend the operation OF the
railroads OF the country by afrtkes and
violence aud the absence Oh any law
to compel the settlement OF such dis
putes by arbitration or other judicial
means, as all other issues between citt.
In civilized states are to be sst.
tied.
Fifth.-The phenomenal Increase tn
the taxation Of railroads 10 recent
years.
Sixth.-The cumulative effect Of
these conditions upon the investing
public, to which railroad companies
must look for the capital necessary to
development.
I'VE believe that the untfcatiOn OF
regulation Is essential" said Judge
LOVett, AN that with the rapid In
crease OF state commissions In recent
years congress VIII In time be com
pesled tn exercise Its power IN the
premises NIo unify regulation there