The Oakley herald. [volume] (Oakley, Idaho) 1908-1961, 1917-01-12
PLAN TO RESUME
RAILWAY INQUIRY
after MARCH 4TH
Postponemont Forced by Press
Of Congressional Business.
COUNTRY DEMANDS ACTION

Shippers, Investors and Representa-
tives Of All Branches of Business De-
mand Unification Of System of Rail-
way Re9ulaton-Roads Ask Fewer
Masters.
Washington, Dec 1S.-The Congress
sional Joint Committee on Interstate
Commerce, which has been conducting
the inquiry into government regulation
and control of transportation, last
week decided to suspend its hearings
on the subject and adjourned, subject
to the call of the chairman, because OF
the pressure of other work before Con
gress. According to the resolution ere
ating the committee, it is required to
submit report by January Sth next.
1t is understood that before that time
the committee will ask for an exten-
sion of time and that the hearings will
be resumed at later date, when some
of those who already have appeared
before the committee will be question
ed further and great many others
will be heard. 1t is probable. howev-
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
| for 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
who are interested In the inquiry nn-
dertaken by the Newlands Committee
insist that there is no intention OF
abandoning it.
1t seems doubtful. indeed, If the
country would permit the matter to
be dropped if there were evidence of
desire on the part of Congress to do
so. The nation wide evidences of in
terest evoked by the initiation of the
Newlands inquiry show that the peo-
pie of the country-shippers, consum-
ers and investors, as well as railway
men themSelves-are alive to the fact
that the railway situation Is highly un-
satisfactory and that steps must be
taken without unnecessary delay to
make it possible for the railroads to
meet the growing needs of the nation.
From reports received here it seems
as though almost every commercial or
ganizat tion and business interest in the
country were engaged in studying the
railroad question. The Chamber o.
Commerce of the United States ha!
been conducting an elaborate inquir,
into various phases Of the subject fol
many months past. Many local anC
state commercial bodies in every par
of the country have committees en-
gagged in study Of the problem ant
have indicated a desire to come her
, and present their views. National or
ganiZations of manufacturers, Iumber
men, coal operators, wholesale and re
tail dealers, have expressed througl
resolutions their desire for the unifica
: tion of the system Of railway regula
= ton. The National Industrial Traffi
League, speaking from the viewpoin
Of shippers using the railways. ha
indorsed exclusive federal reguatio
providing 1t is accomplished in such
way as to give full protection an
prompt adjustment In matters relatin
to transportation within the states.
+ Many Interests Studying Problem.
t All these organizations represent Or
d marily the shippers of the country, bu
e they are not the only ones who ar
taking a hand in the discussion. Th
investors of the nation, through the
own associations and through commi
8 tees representing the savings banks an
o other financial organizations, are pr
?. pairing to show the necessity of impro
o Ing railroad credit and protecting IL
e rights of those whose money is inves
n ed in railway securities. Finally Ii
K railroads themselves, being vitally col
Il cerned In the improvement of existin
conditions. are planning to submit the
views through their executives. ope
ating officials and traffic experts an
r to assert their willingness to accept IA
n reaching federal regulation along lin,
Ii that will enable them to attract capit
e and to provide the facilities needed f,
IL the prompt and efficient handling
in the countrys transportation business
Main Trouble ls Too Many Masters
Not all of these interests are in a
n cord as to the remedies that should |
". adopted. There seems to be gener
m agreement, however that many of Il
Y difficulties which confront the railroa,
n. and which make 1t impossible for the