The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1923-12-06

guarantee railroad earnings. The
law requires that rates should be
just and reasonable. That has
always been the rule under which
rates have been fixed. TO make
q rate that does not yield d fair
return results In cOnfiscation, and
cOnfiscatory rates are OF course
unconstitutional. Unless the Cow
eminent adheres to the rule Of
making q rate that will yield
fair return It must abandon rate
making altogether.
The new and important feature
Of that part Of the law is the re-
capture and redistribution OF ex-
cess rates. The constitutionality
Of this method Is now before the
Supreme Court for adjudication.
Their decision should be awaited
before attempting further legisla-
ton on this subject. Further
more, the Importance Of this TEA
ture will not be great IL con-
solidation goes into effect.
Rail Labor Disputes.
The settlement OF railroad labor
disputes is matter OF grave
public concern. The labor board
YVES established to protect the
public In the enjoyment Of con.
tinuous service BY attempting to
insure justice between the COM
panies and their employees. 1t
has been q great help, but Is not
altogether satisfactory to the pub
lie, the employees, or the COM
panies. IL q substantial agree
ment can be reached among the
groups interested there should be
no hesitation IN enacting such
agreement into law. re II Ii not
reached the labor board may very
well be left Tor the present to
protect the public welfare.
Voluntary Consolidation.
The law for consultations II
not sufficiently effective to Be
expeditions. Additional legislation
is needed giving authority for
voluntary consultations, both re-
giona1 and route, and providing
Government machinery to aid and
stimulate such action, always
subject to the approval of the
Interstate Commerce Commission.
This should authorize the COM
mission to appoint committees for
each proposed group, represent
ing the public and the component
roads, with power to negotiate
with Individual security holders
for an exchange OF their gecnri-
ties for those Of the consolidation
on such terms and conditions as
the commission may prescribe for
avoiding any cOnfiscati0n and pre-
serving fair values. Should this
permissive consolidation prove In.
effective after = limited period
the authority OF the Government
win have to be directly invoked.
Consolidation appears to be the
only feasible method tor the main
tenance Of an adequate system Of
transportation with an oppOr-
as to meet such temporary con-
ditions ~ now prevail In some
agricultural sections Competent
AUTHORITIES aeree that a. entire
reorganization OF the rate str1c-
ture for freight Ii necessary.
This should be ordered at once
by the Congress.
Departrnent 81 Justice.
Al NO revision Of the laws Of
the United States has been made
since 1878, q commission or com.
mittee should be created to under
take this work. The Judicial
Council reports that two more
district judges are needed in the
southern district Of New York,
one in the northern district Cf
Georgia, and two more circuit
judges In the circuit court Of APP
peals of the eighth circuit.
Legislation should be considered
Tor this purpose.
It is desirable to expedite the
hearing and disposal Of cases. a
commission Of Federal judges and
lawyers should be created to
recommend legislation by which
the procedure in the Federal trial
courts may be simplified and
regulated by rules Of court, rather
than by statute; such rules to be
submitted to the Congress and to
be in force until annulled or
modified by the Congress. The
Supreme Court needs legislation
revising and simplifying the laws
governing review by that court,
and enlarging the classes Of cases
of too little public, importance to
be subject to review. Such re-
forms would expedite the trans
action Of the business or the
courts. The administration OK
justice is likely to fail II II be
long delayed.
Prison Problems.
The National Government has
never given adequate attention to
its prison problems. It ought 20
provide employment in sucn
forms OF production as can be
used by the Government, though
not sold to the public in competi-
stion with private business. for all
prisoners who can be placed at
work, and for which they should
receive q reasonable compensa-
ton, available for their depend
ents.
Two independent reformatories
are needed; one for the segrega-
ton OF women, and another for
the segregation of young men
serving their first sentence.
The administration OF justice
would be facilitated greatly by In
GLIDING in the Bureau of IN
vestigation Of the Department OF
Justice a Division of Criminal
Identification, where there would
be collected this information
which Is now indispensable In the
suppression of crime.
Prohibition Enforcement.
The. prohibition amendment to
the Constitution requires the
Congress and the President to
| provide adequate laws to prevent
its violation. It is my duty to
enforce such laws. For that pur-
pose treaty ia haiup nap0fiatod