The sun., 1919-06-03
WIDER POWER GIVEN
I.C.C. IN NEW BILL
Division of Rates and Control
of Security Issues Are
Provided.
POOLING TO BE ALLOWED
Esch and POmerene Measure
Applies to Roads, Wires and
Pipe Lines.
Snecial Drspotch 10 TuE srx.

SBecdi Despatch TO The sUN.
wAsHrNsToN. June "A -comprehen-
sive bin giving the Interstate Commerce
Commission broader powers over the
railroads and also control OF the tele-
graph and wireless systems, as, well as
pipe line transportation, was introduced
In the House to-day by Representative
Esch (Wis), chairman OF the Inter-
state Commerce Committee. The same
bill was introduced in the Senate by
Mr.. Pomerene tOhio), Democrat, n men,
Der of the Interstate Commerce Com
nlittee.
Z. The bill differs in some important
respects from the suggestions made in
public speeches by Senator Cummins
Gowa). chairman OF the Senate COM
mittee and one OF the leading railroad
authorities in Congress, Mr.. Esch is
sued synopsis of the bill tonight,
which reads. in part
1.-THE bill does not provide for Federal
incorporation or the creation OF regional
systems under sub-commissions. 1t does
not guarantee fixed return on valua-
ton or book account cost.
cit does provide that in reaching its
conclusions as to the justice and reason
ableness of any rate. fare. charge. &C.
the Interstate Commerce Commission
shall take into consideration the cost OF
labor and other operating costs in so
far as they become material in any case
under consideration. The level of in
terstate rates prescribed under Federal
control will continue after such control
terminates subject to increase or reduc-
tion by the commission under the rules
and practices existing prior to Federal
control and as modified in the bill.
Z 1.-THE bill changes the Interstate Com
merce Commission act in many particu-
lars and generally strengthens the pow
ers of the commission to enable II to
preserve the demonstrated benefits Of
unified control and to relieve the car
riers in large measure of the conflicting
restrictions imposed by State authorities.
Some objects of the Bill.
Some of the things sought to be &C
complished follow:
Il. The development of inland water
transportation. The act is made to APP
ply to transportation of passengers or
property by railroad or by water or
partly BY railroad and partly by water
and the term water includes the lakes,
rivers, canals and other, inland water
ways within or bordering on the United
States. the Territory of Alaska, the Pan
anna Canal and all waters within and
without the three mile limit from the
coast of the United States or the Terri
tory of Alaska traversed by vessels per-
United to engage in the coastwise trade
of the United States.
THE. prohibition imposed by the Pan
anna Canal act upon railroad owned YES
sells is modified SO as to permit such
vessels to continue in service even when
competition may be excluded. prevented
or reduced. II the commission finds such
service in the interest of the public.
-. The commission is authorized tc
fix the division OF rates between carriers
Under the exercise of this power IL will
be possible for the weak lines or SO.
called Independent short lines to receive
such share. of the joint rate as will en-.
able them to live. Their constant com.
nlaint has been that although they orig
mated the freight they received but a
small fraction of the joint rate. The
commission under the bill may prescribe
the just and reasonable division
%. The period of suspension O
schedules of rates is shortened from tel
months to not more than 100 days
"a. Consultations and pooling O
freight and earnings are to be Above,
under the rigid control of the Com
mission. Under the bill pooling O
freight and earnings, unificstion. con
soldation or merger are permitted b,
the commission upon compla int or Sipo
its own initiative without complaint pro
vided II finds these to be In the interes
of better service or greater economy ii
operation The absorption OF the so
called weak sisters may thus largely b
met without resort to compulsion, Fed
eral Incorporation, or other compiled TED
protracted and probably demonstrations
methods.