The Fort Peck press., 1935-12-26
REGULATION Of
TRANSPORTATION
President Will Ask New Legis-
lation of Forthcoming
Congress.

session Of Congress will be asked BY
President Roosevelt to enact new leg
fslation for regulation OF all forms OF
transportation. In the case Of the
railways they are already so complete
ly regulated that little more could be
suggested without wholly usurping
the functions Of management. With
respect to Interstate commerce NOV
ing on the highways and waterways,
however, there is a wide field for the
exercise Of Congressional activity.
Joseph B. Eastman, Federal Coor-
dinator OF Transportation, has pre-
scented his views to the President, both
at the summer White House in Hyde
Park, N. Y, and since the return Of
the President to Washington, but thus
far Mr.. Eastman has properly declined
to disclose details, although 1t may be
safely assumed that many of the pro-
visions written by the Co-ordinator
Into the bills presented by Senator
Dill In the last session will be en-
bodied in the proposals now offered
for the Presidents approval.
May Be New Cabinet Office.
Notwithstanding Mr.. Eastman's ST.
lence and the lack Of information from
White House sources, there is pur-
poseful talk in Washington to the Of.
feet that the new transportation leg
islation may include the creation of a
cabinet officer to be known as Secre-
tary Of Transportation. Obviously,
such a move would represent quite a
drastic change from present Govern.
ment policies, but the suggestion Is
not new, having been proposed for the
consideration of Congress when the
Transportation Act of 1920 was being
discussed.
The objections to 4 Secretary of
Transportation are as potent today as
when originally put forward. Perma.
hence Of Administration liz imperative
and is not achieved by the changes
that periodically take place In cabinet
appointments, but Washington author
tiles do agree that If regulation of all
forms Of interstate transportation Is
to be entrusted to the Interstate Com
merce Commission, there may be sound
logic In the creation of a separate
federal agency to assume some Of the
administrative functions that Will de-
velop In thus extending the field of
leaving to the I. @. G. the
quasi judicial functions which 1t Is so
well qualified to perform.
There are two definite schools Of
In Washington dealing with
a new national transportation policy.
One hopes that the trend within the
Administration to assume larger con-
troll over all forms of private enter
of the railways, or at least some
Of them. and the other holds thar
ownership may still be left In private
hands but regulation and control
be strengthened not alone with
to the railways but with every
other form Of transportation perform
.ng interstate service.
Public Ownership Not Favored.
II public sentiment Is to be the
Judge between these schools, the gov
ownership group could not
win, for public experience with gov
operation Of the railways
Turing the war Is still an unpleasant !
memory. More than this, however, the
Is becoming more and more sen
tive on the subject of taxation and ;
illions to the public debt to acquire {
he railways and then be further taxed {
0 pay the deficits Inevitably arising =
Government operation. ,
1t would be most heartenlng and
If the President would declare !
imself as still supporting the princt-
les Of private ownership. and Il
'ould greatly simplify the problem % !
ongress in dealing with the trunspor. i
ltion question next winter.
Whatever proposals may he ep
by the President and whateyc! :
reasons behind them may be. 1t + 7
now that the Congress whici -
Gets In January will have to face thu
a~cessity for establishing a govern
transportation policy. Leader.
the House and Senate are arthurlt; =
r the Information that such !ogisla
m will be placed rather near tn,
p of the list of proposals u,o,
lich the President will ask CONGRESS.
act, and today it looks Ike a sfrrn.
toward the regulation OF RAJ
ghway, waterway and micronesia
l%nspOrtation agencies which carr
.erstate commerce. c.
While the elections may have change Kl
!, Congressional picture to some e. w,
It. the neXt Congress Is expected t. W.
practically as subservient to til
as the last two session ~
e logical CONCLUSIONS therefore al" 1o'
II transportation legislation. If sl, YC
tied by the President, will be o.