The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1919-01-11
Topeka Shippers Do Not Want
Government r. r. Control.
Hogueland Draws Up Resolu-
tions Opposing Plan.
KEEP ROADS OUT OF POLITICS
Cabinet Head Would Make
Them Political Footballs.
Service Poorer, Cost Higher
Now, Shippers Assert.

NOW, CulppcTS ASScIts
Topeka shippers and the Chamber
of Commerce will go on record in di-
rect opposition of government opera
ton or ownership of railroads provid-
ing a resolution drawn up today by
E. H Hogueland, commerce counsel
for the Topeka Traffic association, is
adopted by the two bodies. In his
resolution Hogueland asserts that
shippers are getting less than half
their former service for from % to
SO per cent higher rates.. and urges
that the roads be returned to theii
owners as soon as possible.
Hogueland's resolution is the first
step of Topeka business men and COM
mercial circles toward an organized
opposition to continued government
operation of railroads. Both shippers
and members of the Chamber OF
Commerce have assured Hogueland
that they would endorse the stand nc
has taken, and it is expected that the
views expressed in the resolutions VIII
meet with little or no opposition when
they are brought up for official APP
proval. After being formally approved
the paper will be sent to Kansas sena-
tors and congressman in Washington
and to numerous traffic associations,
shippers organizations and CONNER
cial bodies turnout the country
Hogueland condemns the proposal
of railroad executives to create cab
met officer to be secretary of trans
portation on grounds that thesrailroads
would then become a political foot
ball. He recommends that control and
regulation of the carriers be vested in
the interstate commerce commission,
and that the powers of that commits
sion be extended.
Hogueiand's Resolution.
The resolution, as drawn I'D by
Hogueland. follows:
The proposal of the railroad executives
that Il secretary of transportation be add
hearty support from the shippers because
the whole transportation question would
then become the football of politics. The
commerce of the country must be built on
a more permanent basis.
As proposed by the executives. the secre-
tary of transportation would have sub
StantlnlIy the same powers as the director
general today possesses rather asserts.
The arbitrary action of the director general
III changing rates and regulations in spite
OF recommendations to the contrary by the
interstate commerce commission and over
the vigorous protests of the shipping pub
lie, and in many cases without giving any
one an opportunity to be heard. convinces
us that the proposed system would merely
perpetuate a situation which would be in
tolerable in peace times in free country.
The average cabinet officer usually
knows nothing about the work he is to
trations in the present cabinet. The COM
paratlvely short tenure of office makes the
proposal undesirable because so vital n
factor as the transportation service cannot
be subjected to the whims of every poll
tician.
1 believe that it is highly desirable that
the railroads be returned to their respec-
tive re-, owners ars, as soon as possible.
longer comparable with that under pri-
vate operation. Shippers are getting less
than half the former service for % per
other advances and changes are coming
daily. Shippers apparently have no rights
successful only in pi1ing up greater deficits
with constantly diminishing service. In
conducive to economic efficiency.
Favors the 1. c. c.
The control and regulation of the ear
riers should be vested in some non parti-
| competent to deaf with the muItifarious
| questions arising in the transportation
field. The interstate commerce commits
sion is such tribunal. Presidents have
come and gone but no one has ever claimed
that the commission was swayed by pol
! the confidence of the public generally.
am thoroly convinced that the trans
| portation question can be best solved by
! commission greater power than it has
| heretofore had These problems are
! largely or an administrative character
/ and only a body of experts can success
| fully cope with them The following pow
| ers, experimenting those now conferred
/ by statute, should be given To the com
mission:
First-It should be given full power and
authority to supervise, regulate and control
| the issuance of all securities by the rail-
roads and other common carriers under
! its jurisdiction.
termfne the propriety of building new lines
! of railroad and the construction of all
| extensions. The law should REQUIRE the
/ railroad company desiring to build such
/ new line or extension to existing lines to
! secure from the commission certificate
/ showing that public convenience and nee
ess1ty would be subserved thereby The
railroads should be given. the right to
! purchase parallel OF competing lines when
| ever in the Judgment of the commission
| thereby.
t Third-The commission should be given
/ fulI power and authority to compel the
| joint use of all tracks, terminals and equip
| ment whenever public convenience and
! to fix the compensation to be paid for
| such joint use. This should include power
! to compel the unifica ton of terminals and
| terminal facilities whenever found neces-
! Sary.
The use of railroad property, such as
rlght or way, etc. and The rental to be
paid therefor, by shippers should be con
, trolled by the commission.
Fix Minimum Also.
| Fourth-The commission should be given
power to fix minimum as well rs maxi
mum rates Today it can only fix the max
imum- Unjust determinations are created
hV rod ne inrI in r0rn all h Il