The Washington times., 1924-12-03

justments and would contribute
much to the solution Of terminal
difficulties.
Should Safeguard Public.
The consultations need to be
carried out with due regard to
public interest and to the rights
and established life of various
communi>s in our country. 1t
does not seem to me necessary
that we endeavor to anticipate any
final plan or adhere to any arti-
ficial and Interchangeable project
which shall stipulate a fixed NUM-
Der Of systems, but rather we
ought to approach the problem
with such latitude OF action that
it can be worked out step by step
in accordance with a comprehen-
sive consideration OF public in
terest. Whether the number Of
ultimate systems shall be more or
less seems to me can only be de-
tedmined by time and actual ex-
perience in the development Of
such consultations.
Those portions of the present
law contemplating consultations
are not sufficiently effective in
producing expeditions action and
need amplifications of the author
ity of the Interstate Commerce
Commission, particularly In afford
ing q period for voluntary pro-
posals to the commission and in
supplying Government pressure TO
secure action after the expiration
of such q period.
There are other proposals before
Congress for amending the trans
portation acts. One of these con-
templates a revision. of the method
of valuation for rate-making pur-
poses to be followed by a renewed
valuation of the railways. The
valuations instituted by the Inter-
state Commerce Commission 10
years ago have not yet been COM
pleted. They have cost the Gov
eminent an enormous sum, and
they have imposed great expendi-
ture upon the railways, most Of
which has in effect come out OF
the public in creased rates. This
work should not be abandoned or
supplanted until its results are
known and can be considered.
Labor Provisions.
Another matter before the Con-
gress is legislation affecting the
labor sections of the transporta-
] ton act. Much criticism has been
directed at the workings of this
section and experience has shown
that some useful amendment
could be made to these pro-
visions.
1t would be helpful If plan
could be adopted which. while
retaining the practice of syste-
matte collective bargaining with
Cancellation and voluntary arbitra.
! ton of labor differences, could
also provide simplicity in reia-
tons and more direct local re-
sponsibility of employees and man.
ayers. But such legislation will
not meet the requirements OF
the situation unless it recognizes
the principle that the public has
Night to the uninterrupted sarv-
ice of transportation, and there
| fore q right to be heard when
| there is a danger that the Nation
may suffer great injury through
the interruption of operations
because of labor disputes. II
these elements are not compre-
hended in proposed legislation, 1t
would be better to gain further
experience with the present or
ganization for dealing with these
questions before undertaking
change.
Shipping Board Problems.
The form of the Organization
of the Shipping Board was based
originally on it's functions as a
semijudicial body in regulation
CT rates. During the war 1t was
loaded with enormous administra-
tive duties. 1t has been demon
strated time and again that this
form of organization results in
INDIGESTION, division of opinion AMI
administrative functions, which
make a wholly inadequate foun-
datiOn for the conduct of a great
business enterprise. The first
principle in securing the OBJ
jective set out by Congress in
building up the American mer-
chant marine upon the great
trade routes and subsequently
disposing of 1t into private oper-
alton cannot proceed with eff.
fectiveness until the entire func.
tions of the board are reor.
ganized. The immediate require
ment is to transfer into tho
Emergency Fleet Corporation the
whole responsibility of operation
Of the fleet and other property,
leaving to the Shipping Board
solely the duty of determining
certain major policies which re.
quire deliberative action.
The procedure under section 2S
of the merchant marine act has
created great difficulty and
threatened friction during the
past twelve months. Its attempt.
ed application developed not only
great opposition from exporters,
particularly as to burdens that
may be imposed upon agricul-
tural products, but also great
anxiety in the different seaports
as to the effect upon their rela-
tive rate structures. This trouble
will certainly recur III action Is
attempted under this section. 1t
Is uncertain in some OF it's terms
and Of great difficulty in in.
depreciation.
1t is my belief that action un.
der this section should be sus.
pended until the Congress- can
reconsider the entire question m
the light Of the experience mat
has been developed since its en-.
actment.
- National Elections.
Nothing is so fundamental to
the integrity Of a republican
form OF government as honesty