New-York tribune., 1919-01-29

9S0u'nwest YOU l to compete with those in
1ne southeast IN the Northern and
Eastern markets.
ne same thing is more or less
' usu sue III other industries of the South
,na, various adjustments, such as
'rahSlt privileges, have assisted Ms in
;e'''E t;ors competition from other sec
Ions and are largely responsible for
.'e tremendous Industrial develop
inel', i, which has taken place in the
as r., V"enty years in our territory"
IL. ne mutation Of competitive con-
ui:,o oi'S 10 the esprit de corps of the
ial.roadS, said Mr.. Fulbright, was an
important factor in the service of the
carriers to the public.
G. he'erring 20 the decision Of the
supreme Court in the Shreveport case
as as having largely settled the conflict
- JurlSdlctlon between the Interstate
Noihnerce Commission and the state
commissions in the matter of tbeir re1
I,t'II InpIIEuiVe rate making functions, Mr..
fuIbrlght said: '''
~. lne authority of the state COM
"1;sNIonS can be preserved to do al,
lungs tney are now authorized to do 50
long as they do not constitute = NJ Js' eo
o.li'ih4tlon or burden against Inter
1890 Commerce, and certainly the
., S,a,e commerce act should be
"."eHde" so as clearly to authorize
lntefstate Commerce Commission
20 hoid JOINT sessions with and to 90.
operate with the state commissions
as lully as in its Judgment is rioht
and proper i" ~
Era of Harmony Forecast
t,,al, believe the time OF fighting be.
'"een state and federal rato-m.l, ~,
no"e'S mas passed, and the state rail-
aGao commissions Of this country are
;,inost without exception ready to co.
operate with and coordinate their
"e(iVltles with the federal bodv.''
~oncerhlhg the proposal to create a
ness s'' Sa y 0i transportation, the wit
Our fundamental objection ;s he
cause We desire partisan. n6n-no-
'''!cal regulation. and we believe snch pJ
a policy wouA keep the rai]roads M in
foiltlcs and would not be for the hos
interests OF the shipping public nor
A'r the railroads themselves.
IN the second place, we are eoual,v
opposed to comforting upon one man
such exceedingly broad powers as under
.ne recommendations would be in the
HahdS OF this appointive officer. The
ShIpplng public in our section has not
been pleased with the very greatsnower
mat has been lodged in the Director
General WITH regard to railroad opera-
,lon and railroad rates. This powe,
mas been used to supersede the state
laws and the declarations of law bv
'he courts Of the state and national
government
The proposal of the railway execu-
'Ves would have tendency to vest
powers
hands OF one man, who could give
quick action, but the quick action
might nave the etfet, Of gravely upset
'lng the business Of some industry O.,
some community. The Interstate Com
lhefce Commission and it's subordinate
BODIES always should have exclusive
originai jurisdiction of all questions
aHectlng railroad rates and discrimi
nations or practices with respect to
the handling of traffic. These are oues-
tlons which require expert investiga-
tlon OF men who are familiar with
traffic Problems"
No great railway system wonld oy-
pect its general freight agents to de-
termlne questions affecting the opera
ton of the lines, but these matters
would be left to the operating DEPART
ment. where men are trained specially
lor mat work. 1t is, therefore, logical
and proper that questions which deal
primarily with operating conditions.
such as the relief of congestion at
terminals, the compulsory diversion of
traffic to relieve suc.l conditons,- car
service, the enforcement of safety ap-
plances acts and the PRONUNCIATION of
,he Vanous inspection orders, may be
handled by different body, made up
of men who are familiar h, oynor;oroo
with the problems of railway opera
ion ~