The Fort Peck press., 1935-11-14
REGULATION Of
TRANSPORTATION
President Will Ask New Leris-
lation of Forthcoming
Congress.

session of Congress will be asked b,
President Roosevelt to enact new leg
islation for regulation Of all forms O.
transportation. In the case Of thu
railways they are already so complete
ly regulated that little more could be
suggested without wholly usurpine
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 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 1t may be
safely assumed that many Of the pro-
visions written by the Oo-ordinator
DIN In the last session will be en-
bodied In the proposals now offered
for the Presidents approval.
May Be New Cabinet offfsoA
Notwithstanding Mr.. Eastman's 81
lence and the lack Of information from
White House sources there Is pur
poseful talk In Washington to the ef-
feet that the new transportation leg
islatlon may include the creation Of a
cabinet officer to be known as Secre-
hry Of Transportation Obviously,
such a move would represent quite q
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 1890 was being
discussed.
The objections to q Secretary Of
transportation are rs potent today al
when originally put forward Perma-
hence 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 II regulation Of ull
forms Of interstate transportation u
to 10 ChIA W liiS y OOl4
MERGE Commission. there may be sound
logic In the creation Of a separate
federal agency 10 essume some e4 the
administrative functions that wifi DE-
velop In thus extending the hs.d Of
regulation, leaving to the I. @ G. tho
quasi judicial functions which 1t IL 20
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 the
Administration to assume larger con-
troll over all forlns Of private enter
prize may lead TO Government owner
ship of the railways, OF at least some
Of them, and the other holds that
ownership may still be left In private
hands but regulation and contro.
should be strengthened not alono with
respect to the railways but with every
other form OF transportation per!u:u,-
ing Interstate service
Public Ownership Not Favored
II public sentiment is to bs the
Judge between these schools, the gov
eminent ownership group could not
win. for public experience with gov
operation of the railways
during the war Is still an unpleasant
memory. More than this, however,, thv
is becoming more and n2oce sen
sitive on the subject Of taxation au;
Will, 1t is believed. frown upon aiding
billions to the public debt 70 acquire
the railways and then be further taxed
% pay the deficits Inevitably arising
rom Government operation.
1t would be most heartgaing sfKt
If the President would }>c!a;s
as still supporting the !.yi"c!
oles Of private ownership, and Il
you'd greatly sinipllc.' tho problem o.
congress IN dealirrg with the transpor
alton question next winter.
Whatever proposals. may bs sp
by the President and whateyri
he reasons behind them may be. It H.
now that tho Congress "h!rh
meets In January will have to :ace the
necessity for establishing & go2cru
nent transportation policy. IAadrT'
q the House and Senate are authort',
or the Information that such icRls'a
ion Will be placed ruaisr nrn: thr
op OF TIE iist Of proposals A>oi
which the tioriAcnt VIII nck t'ptAea>
o act. and today It loc&n like n stroa,
toward the regulation OF RAJ
Highway, waterway and tntnrcoasts
transportation agencies which car.
Interstate commerce.
While the elections may have chang.
ne Congressional picture to some e.
ent. the next Congress is expected +.
e practically as subgervient to T..
resident as the last two scssIa:
he logical conclusions therefore a.
lat transportation legislation, II 81.
lifted by the President. will I've =