El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1920-12-10
WHY NOT REGIONAL BOARDS TO LOOK
AFTER REGULATION OF RAILROADS?

IT IS suggested that something must be done to insure
the states freedom in using their rate making
power Of exercising control ever common car
er The Democrats long complained about states rights
being violated BY wicked Republicans who sought to
sze all power n the federal government; yet never be
tore ID TINS o9untya history has power Deen cenaed IN
and his bureaus and commissions It has been
since Mr. Wilson took office.
This centralized power is reflected every day in such
states Arizona Rev Mexico and Texas These states are
and remote from Washington and they get attention
sometimes when they send delegations long petitions to
Washington pleading FOX this attention. Rates and rules
made BY the interstate commerce commission which
be fair but there many Why it can't get all Of
The facts necessary to satisfactory decisions The recent
decision allowing the increased rate on coal IS sample
The failure TO adjust the transcontnental passenger
the Southern Pacific lines to enable them to meet
competition of northern lines is another
The southwestern states have little to say about what
the great interstate railways shall and shall not do within
their confines.
Yet from the railroad standpoint the making of rates
and regulations by 49 separate and Independent commits
sons and the making Of restrictive and oppressive laws by
49 different legislatures are ntolsrable Great interstate
Ia4ays passing laougn many states nave 70 MAINTAIN
huge legal establishments IN order to keep informed and
in touch With the complicated situation thus created
The unnecessary costs imposed upon the roads
suit Of the divided powers and responsibilities
y be paid IN the last analysis BY the public though the
railroads find It rksome to make the necessary adjustments
and they rightly argue that much Of the difficulty might
be avoided By the adoption Of plan Of super
vision and regulation. They generally urge greater cen
raztion and corresponding restriction Of state inter
ference.
Why may it not be worth considering the reorganiza-
ton Of the entire system Of railroad commissions including
federal and state bodies along such lines as those
followed In the federal system? Why may not
be possible to enact consolidated code Of regulatory
that VIII meet the legitimate aims Of federal control while
az the same time recognizing the just domain Of state
control and stabitzing the entire practice2
Is not the rsmedy really to be found reorganization
along regional lines? The regional system the federal
reserve bank plan fought bitterly by some sections and
some interests yet has been found work well In prac
ce at least to the undoubed benefit Of the great majority
Of the people particularly the west south It not
too much to say that the old centralized financial power IN
New YORK city is the only interest that has been disturbed
to It's apparent demeut And all the remainder Of the
country outside New York quick to argue that Kew York
IS really the gamer not the loser by the building up Of
sound system Of deeentrazed control Of money and credit
which largely contributes to the welfare and develop
ment Of The country a whole
To have regional railroad commissions much after the
order Of the regional banks would enable men to
SIT on these commissions who would have an intimate
knowledge Of at least part Of their districts and much
better knowledge Of their entire region than any Washing
ton commission, centralized federal body or nonresident
board could possibly have.
These regional commissioners would bear certain
amount Of direct responsibility their own neighbors that
Is absent in tie workings Of centralized federal board