New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1919-11-19
President Wilson Rejects
Bill That Would Restore
Function to Interstate
Commerce Commission
Favors Principle, Though
Suggests Changes: Measure
Deemed Dead on Account
of Return Of Roads Soon

WASHINGTON. Nov. ls-Holding
Hhat the authority of the railroad ad-
mlnistration over rates. schedules and
riassifics ions was necessary to enable
It promptly to meet operating emer-
genc'es arising during the existing
period of heavy trade President Wilson
today vetoed the Senate bill restoring
The pre-war rate making powers of the
Interstate Commerce Commission.
Because Of the short time interven-
,ng before the roads are returned to
private operation on January I. lead
ers IN the Senate and House thought
no effort would be made to pass the
measure over the veto. Republican
Leader Mondell. of the House, said fat
~ he never had approved the bill, and
consequently was in accord with the
Presidents action.
Text of Message
This bill" said the Presidents mes
age. "deprives the government of the
nited States, while still charged with
me exclusive responsibility for oner-
ting the railroads during Federal con-
.rol, of an power tc make any change in
any interstate rates. fare, charge.
classification. regulation or practice
WITHOUT having fist secured the APP
rroval Of the proper state regu ating
tribunals. whereas under the Federal
control act as originally enacted the
government of the United States has
She same power to determine the in
trastate matters as it had TO deter
wine similar matters of an interstate
character.
The immediate effect of such
change in the law would be to deprive
the Federal government o. the ability
10 cope promptly and decisively with
operating emergencies which are row
arising and must continue to arise
6uring the existing period of heavy
traffic Recently the railroad admins
ration found that refrigerator cars
ere being unduly detained by con-
~nees at Il time when there was ur-
eent demand for an enlarged trans
n1rcation use cf such cars The rail
md administration wa able suhstan-
ally and promptly to correct this sit
ton by the imposition of an emer-
ecncy charge. Such step could not
ave been taken promptly If it had
Zen necessary TO consult also state
1thorities throughout the Union.
Prevents Uniform Plan.
Since the authorities of each state
v5uld. uNdor this bill. have the full
,ewer 10 exercise an independent judg-
.'ent. the probable resu' I would have
r-oa. Il this bill had been in effect, to
event any uniform practice a. all.
9twita standing the fact that the Fed
.rai govern meut was the so'c operator
- the railroads ard. as such. conduct
sr the interstate operations as well
the inter tate operations.
At the present time the railroad ad
mlnlstration is proceeding with an i'm
rcrtant measure to secure the heavier
aiding of cars with grain and grain
PRODUCTS so as to meet more fully the
trgent need for greater transporta
ION of those commodities. If it should
he necessary to obtain the independent
Judgment of each state tribunal, the
clay would probably be so great as to
eefeat the purpose of the p an.
The matters | have mentioned are
illustrative of pressing practical
mergenc;es which must be dealt with
romptlv if they are to be dealt with
effectively. and while the Federal gov
ernme.t alone is responsible for rail
Cad operation it ought to have with
II IS self the power TO deal with
-hese problems. The practice Of the
railroad administrator to secure the
advice Of the Interstate Commerce
Commission upon matters Of impor-
tance reasonably insures an adequate
Yresentation Of the public interest
and avoids the divided action and in
cvits Bile delay which woD id result if
each state authority should have es-
elusive and final power as to reg lla-
tiou of all matters Of interstate traffic
within its borders.
beyond these pressing practical eXi-
eenc.es ice! tA.t II is . Gar soandcr