Evening journal., 1919-07-21
ATTITUDE OF INTERSTATE COMMERCE C0MMIs-
SINNERS


i Commission, Joseph b. Eastman has struck
a blow" says the Railway Age which is adapted
TO shatter any hope the optimistic might st have had
that the Interstate Commerce Commission now
sttuted, would in the absence Of specific instructions
from Congress TO do regulate rates TO enable the
railways under private operation to prosper and ade-
quately develop their facilities Mr. Eastman has sent
letter TO the Senate Committee on Interstate Commerce.
In which he says believe that the roads should con-
tinue In the possession and control OF the nation He
makes clear that has confidence in private manage
mcnt and is unquallnedy favor Of government owner
ship and operation"
The law provides for the Interstate Commerce Com
mission to have nine members II has only eight mem
bers now because Commissioner Harlans term expired
months ago and no successor to him has been ap-
pointed The attitude Of majority Of the present mem
bers Of the commission regarding the matter Of adequate
rates is indicated by brief review Of their records
Commissioner Meyer has opposed advances in rates in
every important advance rate He rendered a dis
sentins opinion In the fifteen per cent the original
decision in which rendered June a. 1917 in which
he opposed the comparatively small advances favored
by the majority Of The commission at that time Within
eight months howeverafter government operation had
been adopted-the commission itself silently granted the
rest OF the fifteen per cent advance Eastern territory
and within three months the Railroad Admnistra-
ton advanced freight rates twenty-five per cent. and
passenger rates fifty per cent throughout the country
And all these advances In rates amounting TO perhaps
si2ooO0OOO year. proving unequal to the extent OF
several hundred millions Of dollars year the increases
In expenses which have occurred.
Commissioner McChord also dlssented in the fifteen
per and opposed the advances in rates th9n
granted Recently he has attempted TO show that the
railways before government operation adopted were
allowed to charge adequate rates and has contended
that considerable advance in rates be necessary
to save the railway companies from bankruptcy after
the roads returned TO them
posed any further advances rates and has argued that
any deficiency OF railroad should continue TO he
made good from taxes.
Commissioner Aitchison formerly member Of
the Oregon Railroad Commission served the solicitor
Of the National Association Of Railroad Commissioners
and always has been hostile in his attitude toward the
railroad companies.
Commissioner Eastman as we have seen is an adyo-
cate of government ownership; and man who has no
faith in private management and favors government
agemen can hardly be relied to help to so regulate
the railways under private management TO enable thom
to prosper and furnish good and adequate service
Commissioner Harlan favored larger advance in rates
than granted in the ye cent and advocated
larger advance in rates than made in the original
decision the fifteen per cent. He said emphatic
ally: THE record, in my Judgment. demonstrates a
that has long been clear 10 me, viz that
rate public question and that the existing rates aside
from any interest that the Of the railroads may
interest in order that may thus be given for
the early enlargement Of our transportation facilities"
susbequeut developments have shown that Commissioner
Harlan had much foresight than either the members
OF the commission who favored granting only part Of
the fifteen per cent increase those who opposed
ncrease but has not been reappoined by President
Wilson
The Escl-Pomerene BILL which has the backing OF
he Interstate Commerce Commission provides that when
he railroads are returned 70 private operation the
mission shall exercise practically supreme power in the
king Of rates and gives It no instructions TO how It
hall regulate them except that It shall make them rea-
enable and doing shall take into consideration the
ost Of labor and other operating costs.
THE present crisis in the railroad industry demands
rank speaking" the Railway Age with the past
ecord and present views Of the members Of the commits
ion before H. It should be plain beyond peradventure to
congress that II the commlsson Is given proposed in
he Esch-Pomerene bill. complete authority over rate
making with no express instructions to make rates suf
centy high enable the carriers adequately TO develop
heir facilities make them to enable the roads
earn an average Of say least six cent II is
ertan as any future thing be that the commission
present constituted will not make rates that viii be
dequate II the commission does not make rates ade-
uate the expansion OF railroad facilities will not be
lived and private management VIII break down.
"But private operation is to be foredoomed to failure
rom the start why return TO II? we cannot get needed
eforms in our policy OF regulation after eighteen
nonhs experience with government operation, we never
hall be able TO get them; and we never going to
able TO get them should frankly recognize the fact
hat government ownership sooner or later Is inevitable
government ownership later is inevitable let
S take It now II we don't want government ownership
lther now or later let us adopt policy Of regulation
nder which private management can be made success
ll"
Camden campmeetns near Dover, viii open on next
rday and continue until August H. As IL is the largest
nd most popular institution Of ITS kind in Delaware. the
likelihood is that It will attract large crowds TO the woods