Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1928-02-16
Senate Orders Rate Survey

Charges BY Senator Robinson Of Arkansas that the
Interstate Commerce Commission. in some Of its re-
cent decisions, has penalized certain states and com
smunities, has resulted in a resolution by the senate
demanding that the Interstate Commerce Commission
transmit to congress copies Of all decisions in which
1T has sought 20 equalize conditions as among different
states or localities. The commission is also asked T.
cite It's authority for decisions in which, as stated BY
the senators. it has sought to "equalize prosperity"
Senator Robinson charged that the commission is
going outside the law TO make decisions, not on the
Justice or reasonableness Of the rates themselves, bur
70 endeavor 10 place an embargo on products Of GER
tain states or localities and favor the products of other
states or localities. This, the senator alleges, is far
outside the intent Of congress in passing interstate
commerce legislation. and an assumption of authority
on the part Of the commission.
Senator Barley Of California. who was one OF the
house conferees several years ago on the Esch-Cum-
minis measure, made an extended speech in which re
challenged the action OF the commission in connection
with several recent decisions. He especially cited the
lake cargo coal case and contended that the southern
coal fields had been Disseminated against. He said
this was merely enc case which was open to criticism,
asserting that the commission was taking advantage
of al incidental grant Of authority in Section Is IF
the transportation act and doing something congress
never intended il should do. Senator Barley cited
numerous instances when the commission refused TO
lower rates upon request Of the carriers, and asserte I
that If the commission persisted in this course he
would offer an amendment to prevent it.
II is understood that the decisions congress pro-
poses to review includes the Southwestern and South
eastern rate cases, which orders have been issued BY
the commission but which have been postponed upon
appeals by carriers and shippers adversely interested.
Senator Robinson asserted that if the commission
persisted in trying to equaize conditions among com
munities il would destroy the confidence of railroads.
shippers and the public and would eventually wreck
itself He pointed out that many inequalities existed.
and that several states apparently enjoyed rates which
could be construed as decidedly favorable and which
were in fact discriminatory against other states and
sections shipping similar commodities.
a nationwide interest has been aroused by the
action Of the senate. and it is possible that, after a
thorough investigation by congress. radical amend
ments affecting interstate commerce will be offered.
and the duties and authority Of the Interstate Com
rerce Commission more definitely outli ned. And it
h also very probable that an amendment will be sub
ritted requiring the commission to adjust rates which
have been found discriminatory and not to hold such
rates in allegiance Indefinitely upon representations Of
carriers ard shippers who may claim their interests
are thereby adversely affected