Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1917-01-03

SSatec Nights Would Not Suffor.
Mr.. Thorn cited many instances
which shippers in one state were II
jariously affected BY selfish regula
tons imposed on the railroads b
neighboring states. He pointed GU
that federal regulation would be no in
vasion Of the rights Of the states bu
would be the means of preserving tn
rights which they acquired when the,
entered the Union, one Of which wa
the right to the free movement Of thei
1 products across state boundaries.
What the Railroads Advocate.
The principles which the railroad.
believe should be incorporated In any
just system of regulation were sum
married. by Mr.. Thorn as follows:
l. The entire power and duty Of reg
ulation should be in the hands Of the
national government except as to mat
tiers SO essentially local and incidental
that they cannot be used to interfere
with the efficiency Of the service or the
just rights of the carriers.
2. AS one of the means of accom-.
plishing this, system of compulsory
federal incorporation should be adopt.
cd into which should be brought all
railroad corporations engaged in inter.
state or foreign commerce.
3. The Interstate Commerce Commits
sion under existing laws has too much
to do and is charged with conflicting
functions. including the investigation,
prosecution and decision OF cases. The
latter duties should be placed in the
hands of new body which might be
called the Federal Railroad Commits
sion. Regional Commissions should
be established in different parts Of
the country to assist the Interstate
Commerce Commission by handling To-
cal cases.
: 4. The power of the Commission
should be extended to enable 1t to pre-
scribe minimum rates and not merely
maximum rates as at present. This
would increase their power to prevent
unjust DETERMINATIONS
Justice to Public and Roads.
s. 1t should be made the duty of the
Interstate Commerce Commission, In
the exercise Of its powers to tx rea-
sonable rates. to so adjust these rates
that they shall be just at once to the
public and to the carriers. To this end
the Commission, In determining rates,
should consider the necessity of main
tanning efficient transportation and ex-
tensions Of facilities, the relation of
expenses to rates and the rights of
shippers. stockholders and creditors of
the roads.
6. The Interstate Commerce Commits
sion should be invested with the pow.
err to fix the rates for carrying mails.
I. The federal government should
have exclusive power to supervise the
Issue Of stocks and bonds by railroad
carriers engaged in interstate and for.
eign commerce.
8. The law should recognize the es-
sential difference between things which
restrain trade In the case of ordinary
mercantile concerns and those which
restrain trade in the case Of common
carriers. The question, Of competition
is not the only fair criterion.
8. The law should expressly provide
for the meeting and agreement Of traf.
flc or other officers of railroads in re.
spect Of rates or practices. This
should, however, be safeguarded BY
requiring the agreements to be fled
with the Interstate Commerce Commis.
sion and to be subject to be disappro-.
ed by It
my legal proposition" Mr.. Thorn
said. rs that the Constitution as 1t
now IL gives full authority to Congress
to regulate the instrumentalities of In.
terstate commerce in all their parts.
If the power Of regulation is to reach
the public requirements, 1t must be CO
with the instrumentalities Of
Mr.. Thorn explained that the roads
are not asking either Of the Committee
or Of Congress any increase in reve-
nues. but that they are merely asking
the perfectic Of q system which will
be responsible to any need that may
arise.