The Nezperce herald. (Nezperce, Idaho) 1900-1957, 1917-01-04
PLAN TO RESUME
RAILWAY INQUIRY
AFTER MARCH 4TH
P0siDOnemani Forced BY Press
Of Congressional Business.
COUNTRY DEMANDS ACTION

tivss Of Al Branches Of Business o.
rand Unifcation Of System Of Rail
way ssuiation-Roads Ask Fsws
Masters.
Washington. Dec. is-The congrel
sional Joint Committee on Interstat
Commerce. which has been conductin
the inquiry into government regulatio
and control Of transportation, las
week decided TO suspend ifs hearing
on the subject and adjourned. snbjec
70 the call or the chairman. because 0
the pressure Of other work before Con
gress. According 10 the resolution ere
ating the committee. il Is required 4
submit q report By January eth next
Il is understood that before that tim,
the committee VIII ask for an exten
sion u time and that the hearings VIII
be resumed at q later date. when somi
81 those who already have appeares
before the committee win be question
I'd further and a great many other
Viii be heard. II is probable. howev
er. that the hearings VIII not be resum
I'd until after adjournment Of Congress
On March Alb. In addition 70 regulai
routine business the commerce com
mltfees of The two houses are charged
with the important duty Of preparini
and presenting the legislation asked
FOR by President Wilson 10 make i'm
possible 4 railroad strike without pre-
rions investigation. This will leave
little or no time FOR the consideration
or the general questions OF railway
regulation.
Country Wants Something Dons.
Members OF Congress and Others
who are interested ia the inquiry IN
dersaken By the Newlands Committee
Insist that there is no intention OF
abandoning Il.
II seems doubtful. indeed. II the
country would permit the matter 20
be- dropped II there were evidence Of a
desire on the part of Congress 70 do
80. The nationwide evidences OF in
terest evoked ~ the Initiation Of the
Semiands Inquiry show that the PEG
pie Of the country shippers. cons0m-
ers and investors. as well IS railway
nlen themselTes-are alive TO the fact
that the railway situation Is highly I'M
satisfactory and that steps must be
taken without unnecessary delay 70
make II possible for the railroads 70
meet the growing needs 81 the nation.
From reports received here Il seems
as though almost every commercial or
ganlzafion and business interest In the
country were engaged IN studying the
railroad question. The Chamber OF
Commerce Of the United States has
been conducting an elaborate inquiry
into various phases OF the subject for
many months past. Many local and
state commercial bodies Ia every part
of the country have committees en-
gagged IN study Of the problem and
have indicated desire 10 come here
aud present their views. National or
ganfxations Of manufacturers. lumber
men, coal operators. wholesale and re-
tail dealers, have expressed through
resolutions their desire for the unifica-
ton OF the system OF railway regisla-
don. The National Industrial Traffic
League speaking from the viewpoint
Of shippers using the railways. has
Endorsed exclusive federal regulation
providing Il Is accomplished IN such
way az to give fun protection and
prompt adjustment In matters relating
70 transportation within the states.
Many Interests Studying Problem.
Al these organizations represent pri-
marily the shippers OF the country. but
they are not the only ones who are
taking q hand in the discussion. The
Investors OF the nation. through their
own associations and through commit
tres representing the savings banks and
other financial organizations. are pre-.
pairing to show the necessity OF lmprov-
ing railroad credit and protecting the
rights Of those whose money Il invest
ga IN railway securities. Finally the
railroads themselves. being vitality con.
ccTned IN the Improvement OF existing
conditions. are planning 10 submit their
views through their executives. oper.
ating officials and traffic experts and
10 A%Ft-kt tttttf MSS ~ Httt44L I AT
reaching federal regulation along lines
that win enable them TO attract capital
and 10 provide the facilities needed FOR
the prompt. and efficient handling OF
The conntry's transportation business.
Main Treuble IL Too Many Masters.
Not all Of these interests are IN &C.
cord as to the remedies that should be
adopted. There seems to be a general
agreement. however. that many Of the
difficulties which confront the railroads
aud which make II impossible FOR them
to meet the requirements Of the ma.
TONS commerce promptly aud satlsfnc.
torlly arise from the haphaxard and
often conflicting measures OF regulation
chat have been adopted from time to
time by the federal government and the
forty eight states and that what Is
needed Is well ordered systematic
scheme Of federal regulation that shall
cover the whole country and make II
possible FOR the railroads 10 provide the
extensions and improved facilities SO
badly needed. while at the same time
projecting fully the public interests.