The Rathdrum tribune. (Rathdrum, Idaho) 1903-1963, 1917-04-06


providing and developing transporta-
tion systems, except within the limits
of the revenue that can be realized from
such rates and under such restrictions.
For country such as ours, for a
people situated as we are, to blunder
along with series of unrelated, incon-
sistent, conflicting statutes enacted by
different states without relation to
each other, instead of providing a com.
plete and carefully studied and pre-
pared system of regulation for bust
ness that is so vital to the life Of the
nation, is worse than folly"
He summed up the present problems
and difficulties of the railroads as fol.
lows:
First.-The multiplicity of regula-
tions by the several states with respect
to the issue of securities, involving de.
lays and conflicting state policies gen.
orally dangerous and possibly disas-
trous.
Second.-The state regulation OF
rates In such manner as to 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 to dis
turb and disarrange the structure of
interstate rates.
Third.-The inability Of the Inter.
state Commerce Commission, whoever
the commissioners may be, to perform
the vast duties devolving upon 1t un-
der existing laws, resulting In delay
which should never occur In CONNER
cial matters-and compelling the COM
missioners to accept the conclusions of
theirs employees as final In deciding
matters Of great Importance to the
commercial and railroad interests Of
the country.
Fourth.-The practical legality that
has been accorded conspiracies to tie
up and suspend the operation of the
railroads of the country by strikes and
violence and the absence of any law
to compel the settlement of such dis
putes by arbitration or other judicial
MEANS as all other issues between citi-
tied.
Fifth.-The phenomenal increase in
the taxation Of railroads In recent
years.
Sixth.-The cumulative effect of
these conditions upon the investing
public. to which railroad companies
must look for the capital necessary to
continue development.
I'VE believe that the unification OF
regulation is essential" said Judge
Lovett, "and that with the rapid In.
crease of state commissions In recent
years congress will in time be com.
PEELED TO exercise IFS power in the
premises. To unity regulation there
should be a complete, harmonious, con.
| sistent and related system. We be
! lieye the best, IL not the only practical
plan, is the federal incorporation OF
railroads by general law. which will
make incorporation Hereunder com
pulsory, thus imposing on all railroad
companies throughout the United
States the same corporate powers and
restrictions with respect to their finan
cial operations and the same duties
and obligations to the public and. the
government, so that every investor will
know precisely what every railroad
corporation may and may not lawfully
do
Judge Loyett contended that the so
luton of these problems and Difficult
ties rested with congress. He told thu
committee that under the constitution
| the authority of the federal govern
1 ment is paramount, that congress ha!
the power to legisate for centralized
control of railroads under federal char
ters and that 1t only remains for tina
body to exercise that power.