Crossville chronicle. [volume] (Crossville, Tenn.) 1894-current, 1917-04-04
RAILROAD SITUATION
is NOW LARGELY
UP TO CONGRESS
Must Share Responsibility In
Future Development.
ROBERT S. LOVETT'S VIEWS

"Unification Of Regulation Is Essential"
A Complete, Harmonious, Consistent
and Related System Needed-Federal
incorporation OF Railroads by Gener-
al Law Favored.
Washington, March 2G.-Responsibil-
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 of Judge Robert S. Lovctt, chair
man of the executive committee of the
Union Pacific system, to the NcWiands
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 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
men and lawyers as marking an epoch
in the development of transportation
in the United States
1--WE have our share of responsible
ity," said Judge Lovett, "but 1t rests
primarily on congress. When the gov
eminent regulates the rates and the
financial administrator of the rail
roads, the borrowing OF mdffey anu the
Issuance of securities it relieves the
railroad officers of the responsibility Of
providing and developing transporta-
ton 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
people situated as we are, to blunder
along with a series Of unrelated, incon-
Sistent, conflicting statutes enacted by
different states without relation to
each other, instead Of providing CON-
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-
lions 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 a 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 it I'M
der existing laws, resulting in delay
which should never occur in CONNER
cial matters-and compelling the COM
to accept the conclusions of |
their employees as final in deciding |
matters of great importance to the |
and railroad interests of |
The country.
FOurth.-The practical legality that |
has been accorded conspiracies to tie |
up and suspend the operation Of the |
'ailroads Of the country by strikes and
violence and the absence Of any law |
70 compel the settlement Of such dis |
)utes by arbitration or other judicial
neans as all other issues between citi-
,ens in civilized states are to be set
led.
Fifth.-The phenomenal increase in
he taxation Of railroads in recent
1earS.
Sixth.-The cumulative effect of
hese conditions upon the investing
Dublic, to which railroad companies
must look for the capital necessary to
ontinue development
1--WE believe that the uniication of
equation is essential" said Judge
4ovett, land that with the rapid in
rease of state commissions in recent
ears congress will in time be COM
elled to exercise it's power in the
remises. TO unity regulation there
hOuld be q complete, harmonious, con-
istent and related system. We be-
eve the best, If not the only practical
Ian, IS the federal incorporation of
ailroads by general law, which will
make incorporation hereunder com
ulsory, thus imposing on all railroad
throughout the United
tates the same corporate powers and
estrictions with respect to their finan-
ial operations and the same duties