The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 18??-1935, 1918-12-06

al utdLh5 Win AilS iuNotioAl VA
what may be done with the railroads
in the future, the Interstate Commerce
Commission in its annual report to
the congress today says:
"The conditions, without precedent
or parallel, which the war has pro
duced now press upon the congress
matters of the gravest national and
international concern.
while we do not deem the present
conditions and moment opportune in
which to recommend concrete pro-
.posals for legislation, we may indi-
cate certain lines OF inquiry which
must be pursued in order to reach
sound conclusions.
Whatever line of policy is deter
mined upon, the fundamental aim or
purpose should be tossecure transpor-
tation systems that will be adequate
for the nations needs even in time
of national stress or peril and that
will furnish to the public safe, ade-
quate and efficient transportation at
the lowest cost consistent with that
service. To this end there should be
provision for (D the prompt merger
without friction of all the carriers
lines, facilities and organizations into
a continental and unified system in
time Of stress or an emergency; (2)
merger with proper limits of the car
riers' lines and facilities in such part
and to such extent as may be neces-
sary in the general public interest to
meet the reasonable demands of our
domestic and foreign commerce.; CD
limitation of railway construction to
the necessities and convenience of the
government and of the public, and as
suring construction to the point of
these limitations; and (4) develop
ment and encouragement of inland wa
terways and coordination of rail and
water transportation systems.
Among the plans which doubtless
will be proposed are the following:
% Continuance of the present plan Of
federal control; (2) public ownership
of carrier property with private oper-
alton under regulation; (3)private op-
Grafton under regulation with govern
mental guarantees; (4) resumption of
private control and management un-
der regulation; and CD public owner
ship and operation. Additional plans
and notifications or combinations of
those enumerated might be listed
If the policy of private ownership
and operation under regulation is con-
tinued the following subjects will
require legislative consideration: ~
Revision of limitations upon united
or cooperative activities among COM
mon carriers by rail or by water; (2)
emancipation of railway operation
from financial dictation; (3) regula-
tion of issues of securities; (3) regula-
lishment of a relationship between
federal and state authority which will
eliminate the twilight zone of juris-
diction and under which harmonious
rate structure and adequate service
can be secured, state and interstate;
(5) restrictions governing the treat
ment of competitive as compared with
non-eompetitive traffic; (6) the most
efficient utilization of equipment and
provision for distributing the burden
of furnishing equipment on an equita-
BILE basis among the respective car
riers; CD a more liberal use OF the
terminal facilities in the interest of
free movement of commerce; and tS)
limitations within which common car
rier facilities and services may be
furnished by shippers or receivers OF
freight.
Should the policy of public owner.
ship and operation be adopted. there
must be considered: (D The just and
fair price at which. and the terms un
der which. carrier properties are to
be acquired; (2l prohibiting the opera