Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-11-10
IN BITTER CLASH
OVER RATE ISSUE
Clifford Thorne Attacks Comp
troller Williams for Recent In
terview Favoring Increase.
MISUSE OF HIS POSITION
Government Official Defends Ac-
ton as Effort to Uphold
Value Of Securities.
Especial to The Times-Dispatch.1

Especial to The Times -Dispatch.l
WASHINGTON. November John
shelton Williams. Comptroller of the
Currency. and Clifford Thoruc. state
Railroad Commissioner of Iowa and
counsel for number OF shippers. to-
day clashcd over the question whether
or not the railroads should he allowed
increased rates. Mr.. Williams issued
ii statement a few days ago. urging the
Interstate Commerce Commission to
allow the increase. Mr.. Thornc sharp
~ takes Mr.. Williams to task for this
statement. virtually charging the
comptroller with trying TO stampede"
or dictate" TO another important gov
ernment department. Mr.. Thornc then
proceeds 10 deny that railroad sccuri-
ties have declined i'll value.
lin this wild scramble for profitcer-
ing and in the constant placing of ad-
ditionai tax bIrdcl OF all kinds and
character. aggresatinc hundreds and
even thousands OF millions of dollars.
upon the American people" asks Mr..
Thornc. would it not be wise to be
sure OF your ground before recommend
ing an additional tax equivalent TO
per cent IN another billion dollars 10
be paid by the shippers OF this country
Before, reaching conclusions it would
be well for you. as we'll as other pub
lie officials. to learn TO wait until you
have heard both sides"
ItEITERATES CONFIDENCE
IN !. &. &. TO DECIDE
Mr.. Williams. in renly, reiteratcs
the statement Of his confidence in the
Interstate Commerce Commission TO
decide the rate question fairly and
equitably. Regarding Mr. Thornes
veiled insinuation that he is using his
governmental position TO dictate To the
commi ission, Mr. Williams says: Our
national tanks. which are under the
supervision OF this office. arc large
holders of liGh grade abroad bonds
which have declined greatly in value.
My statement WAS intended to give en-
couraScmcnt and 10 prevent tho un
necessary sacrifice of such securities
believing as did that the interest OF
our railroads would be safesuarded and
protected. and that they would be per-
mittcd to charge such rates for trans
portation as would. with good manage
mcut, enable them 10 earn a fair re-
turn upon tho capi al invested in
them
Mr.. Thornc representing live stock.
grain and oil shippers. made public to-
nigh; his letter TO Mr.. Williams. taking
issue with a recent statement by tho
comptroller supporting the efforts Of
the railroads to obtain higher rates
He challenged assertions of the comp
troller and dared him to appear before
tho commission and question the ac-
curacy of statements of fact offered
there in behalf of the shippers oppos-
ing tho advance.
PRESTIGE OF OFFICE
TO HELP RAILROADS
The letter follows:
Dear Sir:
Il have read with interest your
statement in support of. the railroads
in their present attempt to increase
the frcigh; tax on the American people
another s50,oo0O 900 annually. You
have given this statement to the news
papers OF the country on the very eve
OF the trial of the case before the In
terstatc Commerce Commission Will
rot even suggest that you are lending
the prestige of your great office to help
the railroads stampede the commission,
for | know you would not stoop to
such a base undertaking. and if YOU
confidence in the courage and integrity
OF that great tribunal TO believe that II
cannot be siampeded. If that were not
true. the time has arrived TO abandon
the regulation of railroads i'm America
Il wonder pcrchance. il the idea has
ever occurred to you that one depart
ment of the government should not try
TO dictate to another department of the
ters Of grave import. Would you well
come n public statement from the In
terstatc Commerce Commission telling
you what you should do on a matter
OF Importance which you were called
upon to decide? Perhaps the commits
sion is capable of deciding this case
upon the facts presented TO It, and not
uron newspaper interviews and pro-
nunciamcntos.
IN regard TO the status OF our rail
roads as reected in the market prices
on securities, you arc quoted as saving
thht railroad securities have sustained
the heaviest shrinkaecs. and that ,bcy
nave been the leaders in the downward
movement OF values / challenge that
statement as untrue. II you have facts
to substantiate such a claim, il is your
duty to present them to the Interstate
commerce Commission at once But
you know YOU dare not attempt to
testify to such statement under oath
on the witness stand. There is not an
iota OF evidence in support or YOUR
claim that has been offered by the rail-
roads. or any hrcling Of the railroads.
in this proceeding. The facts are prc-
cisely the opposite Of what you claim.
and we are going to prove it. II you
doubt this. invite your attendance
at the hearing next Friday before tho
Interstate Commerce Commission, and
dare you to question the accuracy
of n solitary statement of fact that
will he offered on behalf OF the national
organizations Of live stocl shippers
grain shippers and the independent oil
men of the United States who are nght-
ing the advance. These organizations
have an aggregate membership OF over
n million shiDpcrS Thcy are cntitIcd