Evening star., 1924-01-03
ASKSPRES|DENT'S
RAIL LAW VIEWS
"CIarity" Urged by Chairman
WinSI0W of House
Committee.
BY DAVID LAWRENCE.

Chairman Winslow of the House
committee on interstate commerce
asked President Coolidge today to
clarity" his views on possible legis-
lation affecting the railroads and
transportation generally.
Mr.. Coolidge. in his message. set
forth some definite ideas on the rail-
road problem. but Mr. Winslow want
ed to make sure just how far the
President is willing to go in seeing
his views carried out on Capitol Hill.
Although taxation is undoubte dly
the paramount issue before Congress
today. there is considerable pressure
from the agricultural and business
interests of the country on the sub
ject of railroad legislation.
\ Demands of Farmer.
\ 1t all arises from the demand of the
farmer for cheaper freight rates. The
farm bloc owes it's popularity in the
west to the boast that 1t champions
the interests of the farmer. The CON
gressioIal campaign of 1922 saw
many a member lose his seat in Con-
gress because of farmer dissatisfac-
tion with his attitude on the trans
portation law known as the Esch-
Cummins act.
For several years there has been a
steady demand upon the railroads
that they reduce their freight rates.
Some reductions have been volunta-
rily made. Others have been refused
even though the President of the
United States in personal appeal to
various railroad executives sought the
reduction.
What power then can be exerted
over the railroads to secure lower
freight rates? The farmer and his
representatives in Congress have seized
upon a precious clause in the trans
portatton act. which they insist
amounts to guarantee of profits to
the railroads and prevents the Inter-
state Commerce Commission from or
dering lower freight rates.
Inv Misunderstood.
Mr.. Coolidge pleased the railroad in
terests by saying in his last address
to Congress that. lit has been erron-
eously assumed that the act (Esch-
Cummins law undertakes to guaran-
tee railroad earnings" The President
argued that the law merely requires
that rates should be just and reason
able"
But what are just and reasonable
rates? Those that yiefd a fair re-
turn on the money invested Here,
however, the dispute only begins, for
the opponents of the present law in
sist that a fair return could be. made
with a lower freight rate on various
commodities, and that the facts and
figures furnished by the railroads are
pot conclusive.
And SO the argument goes. 1t is
somewhat similar to the soldier-bonus
controversy. One side insists upon
one set OF figures and the ot,ser offers
another group Of figures. The out
standing fact is that the farmer looks
IN his power in Congress as a
over the heads of the railroads.
}long as that club Is dangled from
above, the railroads will be kept IN
roads are concerned they wouldn't
be disappointed If Congress never
found time to tackle the railroad
problem at all at this session.
Months Delay Possible.
Judging by the speed Congress is
making and the capacity for debate
and pl olonged fighting in the tax
question, it would not be surprising
IL the railroad problem was not taken
up for several months. If Congress
does not take positive action there
will be a good deal heard in the presf-
Dental and congressional campaign
about amendments to the Transports
tion law. The so-called progressives
consider it a vital plank in their plat
form, and the question affords plenty
of opportunity for stump speaking
Mr.. Winslow's call at the White House
was prompted by a desire for guild
ance.
The President indicated in his mes
sage that he would prefer to let well
enough alone and wait for decision
of the Supreme Court of the United
States on the constitutionality of GER
tain features of the present law be-
fore trying to amend the act: Wheth-
Ier Congress will agree with him Is
doubtful. or far more Importance is
the question of Mr.. Cooiidge's attitude
should the farm bloc take the initia-
tive, amend the act and present Mr.
Goolfdge with a bill that contradicts
the views he expressed in his mes
saEs. ,o.,. ,.o4,