Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-05-26

ginia and has practiced law at Rich
mond since 1898. He has served as a
special assistant to the Attorney Cen
eral of the United States.
Ada L. Comstock was born in Min
nesota in 1876 and graduated from
Smith College. She has been presi-
dent of Radcliffe College since 1928.
Mr. Wickersham was born In Pitts
burgh and has lived in Pennsylvania
and New York.
1t Is presumed that in selection of
the members of the commission an
open mind with respect to the profli-
bition issue was regarded as a preemi-
nent desideratum. Mr.. Wickersham Is
reputed to be peculiarly impartial. He
Is reported to have said In a recent
speech that the Jones law would de-
feat itself. No one Of the members
has been q wet or dry propagandist
It Is said that the membership is
fairly representative of the whole coun-
try. Three members are Democrats
namely, Judge Grub and Messrs.
Baker and Lemann. Three have had
important investigating experience along
the lines indicated for the commits
sion-namely, MeSSrs. Baker and Losch
and Dean Pound. Mr.. Baker Is chair
man of the National Crime Commits
sion. 1t is understood that the three
Federal judges will not resign from
the bench.
On May 20 the Supreme Court of the
United States handed down an ex-
tremely important decision re the suit
of the st. Louis & OFallon Railway
to annul an order of the Interstate
Commerce Commission. Very briefly,
the main point in issue was this: Did
or did not the commission in determin-
ing the total value of the property of
the carriers employ the methods Of
valuation contemplated by the trans
portation act of 1920? You see, the
railway rates fixed by the commission
are based in each case on the valuation
determined by itself-the higher the
valuation the higher the rates. The
court states:
1T is impossible to ascertain what
Will amount to fair return upon prop
critics devoted to public service without
giving consideration to the costs of
labor, supplies, etc, at the time the in
vestigation Is made. An honest and in
telligent forecast of probably feature
values. made upon view of all the
relevant circumstances, is essential If
the highly important element of pres
ent costs is wholly disregarded, such
forecast becomes impossible. Estimates
for tomorrow cannot ignore prices to-
day"
The court finds that, in estimating
the value of the st. Louis & O'Fallon
Railway, only very minor consideration
was given to reproduction" costs, and
that by falling to give much considera-
ton in adequate measure the commits
sion failed to discharge the definite
duty imposed by Congress Gin the
transportation act). The general i'm
portance of this decision with reference
to railway rates In the future is suf-
obvious. 1t is of important re-
mark, however, that Justices Holmes,
Stone and Brandeis joined in dissenting
opinion against the majority of five.
The Mississippi is behaving obstrep-
erously again. Col. Theodore Roose-
welt, now in Indo China on a hunting
trip, has accepted the offer of the
Of Porto Rico.
y 4 \
NOTES-After all, Edquard Herriot |
was reelected mayor of Lyon (Which !
office he has held for IS years., though !
only thanks to a piece Of almost in |
stupid tactics Of his enemies |
on the municipal council. the elective |
body. The business is Of importance as !
tending to widen the rift between the |
two great French parties Of the Left. !
the radical Socialist Ito which Herriot |
belongs) and the Socialist proper.
A Spanish royal decree has ordered |
Of the Universities of Madrid,
Valladolid and Salamanca, closed some |
ago because of outrageous be-
haviour Of students by way Of demon
stration against the dictatorship (prob- /
ably induced by vicious propaganda).
Some 10 persons were killed in fights
students and police. Dictator
Primo de Rivera handled the situation
with his customary humorous mixture
If firmness and clemency.
Rodolafo Lanciani, the famous arch
Biological expert and writer, is dead at 80.
Gen. Machado has beet installed as
President Of Cuba for A second term Of
TX years. sa''