New-York tribune., 1919-08-05
CN7a11,iins Rate Bill
Reported to House
III Would Restore AN Pre.Wa ar
Rnse-Waking Power at Inter.
NcD York Tribune
1Irah ,,,n nfor yZ,,-,o

Ncw York Tribune
Washington Bureau
WASHINGTON. Aug ALL the pre-
war powers of the Interstate Commerce
Commission will be restored by the
Cummins bill, amended, as reported
out to-day by the House Interstate
and Foreign Commerce Committee, by
q party vote of to S.
Fear Of shippers that the director
general Of railroads might order
sudden increase of rates, as he is at
present empowered to do, is under
stood to be behind the pushing of this
bill, which has already been passed by
the Senate.
The amended bill restores the rate
making power over interstate rates to
the Interstate Commerce Commission,
which was taken away during the
period of control, and prevents the
President from putting into effect in
tra-state rates without hearing be-
fore the Interstate Commerce Com
mission. Hence the President is
placed in the same condition that car
rlers occupied prior to Federal control.
Under Federal control new rate
could be forced upon shippers with
out warning, thirty days notice, or
right to hold hearings. Now the IN
torstate Commerce Commission will
give thirty days notice and may fur
ther suspend the initiation of a new
rate, pending hearings as TO its reason
ableness.
The action Of the committee was also
taken to-day IN some quarters as in
dlcating opposition to President Will
sons plan for the creation of a wage
board to settle the demands Of rail
workers for increased wages with the
provision that the board shall have
greater powers than the Interstate
Commcrce Commission
There is undeniably strong senti-
ment IN Congress against any nIove to
limit the powers Of the Interstate Com
mercc Commission For this reason
the action Of the committee is con-
sidered significant.
Chairman Esch, of the House COM
,mlttee, to-day said he did not see how
he could favor the Presidents plan to
set up a new wage adjustment BODY,
with greater powers than the commits
sion. He also indicated that he be-
ileved the President already has ample
authority to deal with the demands of
rail workers, and that Congress could
accomplish little by creating new
agencies.
Should the Presidents plan be en-
acted. III is ADMITTED by Director Gen
cral lines that any increased wage de-
mands the proposed board might allow
the workers would be mandatory on
the Interstate Commerce Commits ssion. :"
ne SAID. "These increases would have
to be accepted by the commissions and
there would be but one course left to it,
and that would be to increase rates
The result would be that the commits
SION would be q mere nominal agency"
1t was pointed out that no course
would be left open to the comm ission
to investigate the injustice such in
creases might cause, but that all it
could do would be to boost rates until
the increased wage bill was met.
But the President already has au
thorlty, at least until the Cummins bill
IS passed, to grant any increased wages
he may deem necessary and raise rates
to meet this Increase" he added. Con
gress created a wage adjustment board
to take care OF the present situation"
Mr.. Esch also expressed the opinion
that the majority of the people of the
country have been SO dissatisfied with
the government operation of the roads
that they are opposed to government.
ownership of the lines, as proposed bv
the railroad brotherhoods, and that if
the unions try to force the plan on the
country through threatened strikes
such action Will react against their
cause,