Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1919-11-19
WIL SON vET0ES BILL TO RETURN
 !. [, C. POWERS
Says Measure Would Deprive Government of Power to
 Cope With Problems.

Washington, Nov. 1S.-President Wilson today vetoed the bill restor- ing to the I. c. c. it's pre-war rate making power.
 The presidents message was trans 'mitted to the senate in which the bill originated.
 Chairman Cummins of the inter the bill, said it was not likely that any attempt would be made to pass the measure over the presidents veto as the rate making powers of the commission would be restored when the roads were returned to pri- vate operation January 1.
 Senator Cummins said the presi- dents action was not surprise.
 The president said the immediate effect of the proposed law would be to deprive the federal government of the ability "to cope promptly and decisively with operating emergen- cies which are now arising and must continue to arise during the existing period of heavy traffic"
 "This bill." said the presidents message, "deprives the government of the United States, while still charged with the exclusive responsi- bility for operating the railroads during federal control of any pow CT to make any change in any intra- state rates, fares, charge. classified tion. reculation or practice without raving first secured the approval of the proper state regulating tribun- als, whereas under the federal con- trol act as originally enacted the government of the United States has the same power to determine the in- trastate matters as it had to de- termine similar matters of an intra- state character.
 Deprive U. s. of Power. "The immediate effect of such a charge in the law would be to de- prive the federal government of the ability to cope promptly and de- cisively with operating emergencies which are now arising and must con- tinue to arise during the existing period of heavy traffic. Recently the railroad administration found that refrigerator cars were being undulv detained by consignees at a time when there was urgent demand for an enlarged transportatjon use of such cars. The railroad admin istration was able substantially and promptly to correct this situation by the imposition of an emergency charge. Such step could not have been taken promptly if it had been necessary to consult also state au- thorities turnout the union.
 "Since the authorities of each state would under this bill have the full power to exercise an indepen- dent judgment, the probable result would have been, if this bill had been i in effect. to prevent any uniform practice at all. notwithstanding the fact that the federal government was the sole operator of the railroads and as such conducting the intrastate op- erations as we'll as the intrastate op- erations.
 "At the present time the railroad administration is proceeding with an important measure to secure the heavier loading of cars with grain and grain products so as to meet more fully the nreent need for a greater transportation of those com modities. If it should be necessary to obtain the independent judgment of each state tribunal, the delay would probably be so great as to defeat the purpose of the plan.
 "The matters I have mentioned are illustrative of present practical emergencies. which must be dealt with promptly if thev are to be dealt with effectively. and while the fed eral government alone is responsible for railroad operation, it oupht to have within itself the power to deal with these problems. The prac-