Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1919-11-19
|. c. c. NOT To
Be EMP POWERED To
ESTABLISH RATES


Washington, Nov. 10.-President
Wilson today vetoed the bill restor-
ing to the Interstate Commerce COM
mission its pre-war rate-rnaking power.
The presidents veto message Will
be transmitted today to the senate in
which the bill originated.
Chairman Cummins, of the Inter-
state Commerce committee, author of
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 COM
mission would be restored when the
roads were returned to private oper-
alton January /.
Senator Cummins said the presi-
dents action was not a surprise.
The president said the immediate
effect of the proposed law would be
to deprive the federal government OF
the ability Ito 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."
Depriyes Government of Power.
"This BILL" said the presidents
message, "deprives the government of
the United States, while still charged
with the exclusive responsibility for
operating the railroads during federal
control, of any power to make any
change in intrastate rates, fare'
charge, classification, regulation or
practice without having first secured
the approval of the PROPER state reg
ulating tribunals, whereas under the
federal control act as originally en-
acted, the government of the United
States has the same power to deter
mine the interstate matters as 1t had
to determine similar matters of an IN
terstate character.
The immediate effect of such
change in the law would be to de-
prive the federal government of the
ability to cope promptly and decis-
lively with operating emergencies
which are now arising and must con-
tinue to arise during the existing
period of heavy traffic.
"Since the authorities of each state
would under this bill have full power
to exercise an independent judg-
ment, the probable result would have
been 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 intra-state as well as
as the interstate operations.
"At present the railroad admins
tration is proceeding with an impor-
tant measure to secure the heavier
loading of cars with grain and grain
products so as to meet more fully the
urgent need for greater transporta-
ton of those commodities. If 1t should
be necessary to obtain the independent
Judgment of each state tribunal the
delay would probably be SO great as
to defeat the purpose.
"In the matters / have mentioned
are illustrations of present practical
emergencies, which must be dealt with
promptly if they are to be dealt with
effectively, and while the federal gov
ernment alone is responsible for rail-
road operation, it ought to have with
in itself the power to deal with these
problems. The practice of the rail
road administration to secure the adj
vice of the Interstate Commerce COM
mission upon matters of importance
reasonably insures an adequate repre-
sentation of the public interest and
avoids the divided action and inevita-
BILE delay which would result II each
state authority should have exclusive
and final power as to regulation oil
intrastate traffic within its borders.
beyond these pressing practical ex-
igencies feel that it is far soundel
general principle to vest in the fed
eral government power to raise the
revenue to operate the railroads wher
the federal government alone is re-
sponsible for paying the bills for theii
operation.
1.-THE broad question of genera
principles which l have just discussed
might perhaps be waived in view Of
the short duration of federal control
but the practical emergencies to which
/ have first referred are matters with
which the federal government mus
deal day by day in the discharge OF it
responsibility and / do not think ~
ability to deal with them promatl,
and conslusiyely should be impaired
even during brief period OF fedora
control.
THE leading principle of this bill
which is to give the Interstate Com
merce commission power, pending It.
provision thereon, to suspend rates
practices, etc, initiated by the presi
dent is entirely acceptable TO ME, al
though if in the future the bill shoul'
be repassed should hope to see som,
notifications in detail which woui'