Dresden enterprise and Sharon tribune. (Dresden, Tenn.) 1907-1997, 1917-01-05
PLAN TO RESUME
RAILWAY INQUIRY
AFTER MARCH 4TH
PostpOnansnt Forced BY Press
Of Congressional Business.
COUNTRY DEMANDS ACTION

|
Shippers, Investors and Representa-
tives of All Branches of Business De-
mand Unifcation of System of Rail.
way Regulation-Roads Ask Fewer
Masters.
washington, Dec. 18-The Congress
sional Joint Committee on Interstate
commerce, which has been conducting
the inquiry into government regulation
ana control Of transportation, last
week decided 10 suspend its hearings
ON the subject and adjourned, subject
60 the cab of the chairman, because Of
the pressure OF other work before Con
greSs. According to the resolution Gre
atlng the committee, it is required TO
submit a report by January 8th next
IL IS understood that before that time
the committee will ask for an extern
SION OF time and that the bearings will
De resumed at later date, when some
OF those who already have appeared
Derore the committee will be question |
ed further and great many others
VIII be heard It is probable, howey.
er, that the hearings will not be resum-
ed until after adjournment of Congress
on March 4th. In addition to regular
routine business the commerce com
mittees Of the two houses are charged
with the important duty Of preparing
and presenting the legislation asked
Tor by President Wilson to make i'm
possible a 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 c
Who are interested in the inquiry IN c
lertaken by the Newlands Committee
INSIST that there is no intention Of v
1t. b
1t seems doubtful, indeed, II the h
ountry would permit the matter to /
e dropped If there were evidence Of a )
es1re on the part Of Congress to do =
0. The natioO wide evidences Of in o.
crest evoked by the initiation Of the
ewlands inquiry show that the peo-
le of the country-shippers, consum-
3 and investors, as well as railway tr
en themselves alive to the fact III
lat the railway situation is highly un- 81
lt1sfactory and that steps must be
ken without unnecessary delay to =
axe 1t possible for the railroads to
eet the growing needs of the nation.
From reports received here it seems
though almost every commercial or
nizat1on and business interest in the
untry were engaged In studying the
llroad question. The Chamber of
Of the United States has
en- conducting an elaborate inquiry
to various phases of the subject for
my months past, Many local and
tie commercial bodies in every part
the country have committees en-
ged In study of the problem and
We indicated a desire to come here
! present their views National or
llzat1ons of manufacturers, lumber
q, coal operators, wholesale and re-
dealers, have expressed through
olutions their desire for the unifica- 4
! OF the system Of railway regula-
4. The National Industrial Traffic
lgue, speaking from the viewpoint
shippers using the railways, has
orsed exclusive federal regulation
v1ding 1t is accomplished in such a
as to give full protection and
npt adjustment in matters relating
within the states,
ANY Interests Studying Problem.
Il these organizations represent pri-
lily the shippers Of the country, but
are not the only ones who are
ng hand tn the discussion. The
stors OF the nation, through their
associations and through commit
representing the savings banks and
r financial organizations, are pre-.
1g to show the necessity of improv.
railroad credit and protecting the
IS OF those whose money is invest
railway securities. Finally the
1ads themselves, being vitality con-
ID In the improvement of existing
Itons, are planning to submit their
through their executives, oper-
officials and traffic experts and
sert their willingness to accept far
ling federal regulation along lines
will enable them to attract capital
o provide the facilities needed for
prompt and efficient handling of
ountry's transportation business.
a Trouble Is Too Many Masters.
all Of these interests are in &C.
as to the remedies, that should be
ed. There seems to be a general
ment, however, that many of the
llties which confront the railroads
Which make 1t impossible for them
aet the requirements of the ma.
commerce promptly and satisfac-
arise from the haphazard and
conflicting measures of regulation
have been adopted from time to
" the federal government and the
eight states and that what Is
d is a well ordered, systematic