Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1918-11-30
SENATOR cUMMINs OFFERS BILL
TO RETURN AUTHORITY TO
COMMISSION.
MEASURE ENDORSED BY
NATIONAL SHIPPERS
Under War Measure and Federal Con-
troll Commerce and Rates Are Resu.
lated by Presidential Dietum-End
of>War Makes intolerabie Conditions
unjustifisd.

Washington, Nov. Ex-senator A. B.
Cummins OF Iowa, has just offered bill
in the senate providing for the re-
storation Of the suspension powers Of
the interstate commerce commission.
This is Of great importance 10 the
shippers in the country.
Congress provided in the railroad
control bill for retaining the final
jurisdiction over rates, rules and regu-
lations in the interstate commerce
commission, giving the commission
power TO review orders of the presi-
dent and set them aside where unrea-
sonable.
However. the bill went farther and
provided that when the president mi
tiated any rate or regulation the same
should become effective at once and
not be subject to suspension. This has
resulted in great confusion Whole
sale changes in regulations and rates
have been instituted without any hear
ing before disifterested tribunals.
Other changes Of like character are
now pending.
Rule Should Work Both Wcys.
1T is a poor rule that does not work
both ways" says statement given
out by the National Shippers Protec-
tive League. When a shipper wants
rate reduction or rule relaxed. he
files his petition with the commission,
and before anything is done hearing
s had and the order rendered either
favorable or unfavorable 10 his posi-
ton.
Under present practice, II rail-
road wants to secure an advance or
increase the burden on the shipper all
lit has to do IS to file the tariff and 1t
becomes effective Immediately without
investigation. This is unjust unfair
and out of harmony with our whole
system Of procedure in this country.
Shippers turnout the entire ration
should unite in demanding the imne-
date restoration of the suspension
powers Of the interstate. commerce
commission. 49,
There might have been some justi-
fication for eliminating the suspension
powers of the commission while the
war was in progress. The grounds
urged in support Of the measure was
the necessity for immediate action
without delay to investigate. Assur-
ance was given members OF congress
that II the bill was passed in that
manner the power to initiate rates
without investigation would only be
exercised on emergency matters, that
this would occur on very rare occa-
sions.
Rule No Longer Applies.
However. the situation has 80 de-
veloped that the power to so initiate
rates is being exercised constantly in
all parts Of the country. affecting all
kinds and classes Of rates. Some pro-
posals now pending are OF revolu-
ticnarv character The war has
ceased The argument which pre-
vailed during the progress Of hostili-
ties no longer is applicable. The
emergency has ceased to exist. We
should Immediately return TO normal
conditions"
Officers of the National Live Stock
taken the initiative in suggesting this
,cg:sla,rn. and are going to eSer- IL
tho influence they have to se,L-e rs
passage. They suggest that all into
es:cd clippers should Immediately
wire or -I:te their congressman AMI
also communicate Immediately with
Senator Crmmins so that he can sn"N
how thoroughly the shippers are be-
hind him il this effort.