The Fort Peck press., 1935-10-10
REGULATION Of
TRANSPORTATION
President VIII Ask New Leris-
lation of Forthcoming
Congress.

I CAoC uCW Z
islation for regulation of all forms o
transportation. In the case of tn,
railways they are already so complete
ly regulated that little more could bt
suggested without wholly usurDins
the functions of management. With
respect to interstate ommerce NOV
ing on the highways and waterways
however, there Is a wide field for the
exercise of Congressional activity.
Joseph B. Eastman, Federal Co-or
dinator of Transportation, has pre-.
sented 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 it 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 eff
feet that the new transportation leg
islation may include the creation Of q
cabinet officer to be known as Secre-
tary of Transportation. Obviously.
such q 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 a Secretary of
transportation are as potent today as
when originally put forward. Perma.
nence of Administration is 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
MERGE Commission, there ma be sound
logic In the creation of a separate
federal agency to Il some Of the
administrative functions that will de.
yelop in thus extending the field of
regulation, leaving TO the 1. G. c. the
quasi judicial functions which 1t is SO
well qualified to perform.
There are two definite schools OF
thought In Washington dealing with
a new national transportation policy.
One hopes that the trend within tn"
Administration to assume larger con.
troll over all forms of private enter
prise may lead to Government oWn"s
ship of the railways, or at least m
of them, and the other holds that
ownership may still be left in private
hands but regulation and control
should be strengthened not alone with
to the railways but with ever
other form of transportation perform
Interstate service.
Public Ownership kot Favored.
If public sentiment is to be tn
Judge between these schools, the gov
eminent ownership group could not
win. for public experience with gov
operation Of the railways
the war Is still ar unpleasant
More than this. however. the
public is becoming more and more SEA
on the subject of taxation ans
viii, it is believed, frown upon adlir&
to the public debt to acquire
ne railways and then be further taxed
o pay the deficits inevitably arising
rom Government operation.
II would be most h%earten'Ag an
if the President would doo}Ar.
himself as still supporting the prinr,
lies Of private ownership. and
would greatly simplify the p"ablom o
congress in dealing with the transpor
alton question next winter.
Whatever proposals MY be a.
,roved by tie President and whateya
he reasons behind tnc,a IN be. It j
noN that the Congress who
meets il January will hHTe to face tn.
ieceesity FOR establishing a Cover"
nent transportation policy. Leadr"
n the House and Senate are a1fhori:
or the Information TINT such loG'<'
ion VIII be placed rather nHar 4
~ of TIE list of pro9oaa's u1c
,hich the President VIII ask ConGrn
, act. and TO-DAY It locks like a s.ro.
toward tho regulation Of r."
ighway. waterway ana intescoa ::
transportation agencies which car.
commerce.. :
While the elections may have chang
lie Congressional picture to some g.
mt. the next Congress Is expected
: practically as subservient to t
resident as the last two seSsi0.
he logical conclusions therefore a
lat transportation legislation, If SUI
by the President, will be c; i,
cted in very much the same form 8 ,