The daily Gate City and constitution-Democrat. (Keokuk, Iowa) 1916-1922, 1919-01-29

which we have suggested shall be in
effect during this interval while you
are considering the ultimate DISPOSE
ton of the railroads; for. otherwise,
during the next few months many
sweeping, wholesale changes In rates.
rules, and regulations now pending
will be contaminated; and these
changes have no connection whatso-
ever with the war against the kaiser.
In the light Of past experience, we
earnestly beg of you to accept the
word OF no man as to the manner or
the extent that these powers Will be
exercised in the future. When this
law was before you. congress was
told that the power to control rates
during the time OF federal possession
ought not to be exercised and would
not be exercised except in such cases
as might be necessary "in the public
interest" You were told that 1t
would be very unwise for the federal
government to undertake through the
director general Of railroads-who
merely represents the president. in
this control--to pass upon all tho
rates In the country, either de nhvo,
or as questions may arise concern
ing them" (Trauscript OF the bear
ings before the house committee,
page 578.) And yet the fact remains
that one Of the first acts Of the direc-
tor general was to pass upon all the
rates in the country. and at the pres
ent time the director general is pass.
ing upon rates from one end of the
nation to the other, and making
orders that will not affect to the
slightest degree the successful prose
cution of the war against autocracy
in Europe.
The temptation was too great for
a staff composed almost wholly OF
railroad men.
The director general of railroads
has exercised, and is now proposing
ito exercise arbitrary, despotic
powers, in defiance Of the common
law and the statutory law OF the
country.
The director general has decided,
and is now proposing to decide, con-
troverted issues between the ship
pers and the railroads involving mil
lions Of dollars, without any semb.
lance of hearing before disinters
ested body.
The director general is now con-
|sidering wholesale disturbances OF
rate relationships upon which bust.
ness has been built up and .estab-
lished during the past generation,
without any hearing before disin-
terested tribunal before the new
rates become effective (These are
strong statements. but before finish
my testimony l shall give concrete
examples demonstrating their &C
curacy)
All this has created uncertainty
and confusion amongst the shippers
Of the country, which is intolerable.
We most earnestly petition the
present congress to amend section 10
of the railroad control law as fol-
lows:
First, restore the suspension
| powers Of the interstate commerce
commission, which will insure us a
decision by disinterested tribunal
before any more sweeping revisions
shall become effective; second, strike
out the clause which attempts to
make the orders Of the president
superior to state and federal law and
the common law; and, third. insert
clause requiring the director general
to pay final judgments against COM
mon carriers under his control, and
charge the same to operating ex-
penses, where SO chargeable prior to
government operation.
The present law which attempts to
authorize the former chairman Of the
board of directors of the Atchison.
Topeka & Santa Fe Railway COM
pany, speaking for the president. to
repeal statutes which have been
solemnly enacted by congress and by
the several states. and to reverse the
decisions of courts Of last resort, Is
an abortion. This is supposed to be
republic, and not monarchy.
While we feel very kindly the In
Justice of some Of the propositions
now pending, fairness to MI. McAdoo
and to the railroad men and to the
shippers constituting his official fam
lily demands that we state In I'M
qualified language that prompt relief
on many matters has been granted
in most estimable and praiseworthy
manner. This entities them to very
great credit, and would be the last
one to question their integrity, or
their motives, or their ability. They
are gentlemen Of the very highest
type.