Evening star., 1937-04-01
ROOSEVELT |. c. c.
PLAN ASSA|[ED
Speakers at Commission
Anniversary Demand In
dependence for Body.

An incipient move to rally rail and
shipping interests OF the country IN
opposition to the Roosevelt reorgan1-
ration program that would strip the
Interstate Commerce Commission OF
its independent status was in evidence
today as that agency observed the
flftieth year Of its establishment.
Adhering to the keynote sounded
last night by prominent figures in
the transportation industry as the
Association of Practitioners before
the Interstate Commerce Commission,
In an unusual gesture, rendered an
anniversary dinner in honor OF the
commission at the Mayflower, other
spokesmen today warned that the vast
regulatory agency for rail and high
way carriers must be kept clear from
any possibility Of curb on its free
dom OF action.
Under the Presidents plan, the I.
c. C. would have its quasi-legislative-
judicial and administrative functions
separated, and, like others of the So
called independent agencies, would be
put under some cabinet offlcer-n
this instance, probably Commerce.
Urges Autonomy Be Preserved.
Particular attention was paid to this
proposed split-up today by Allen P,
Matthew of San Francisco, president
of the practitioners, composed both Of
lawyers and laymen who present cases
for carriers and shippers before the
commission.
Speaking at exercises held at the
Government Auditorium, along with
John E. Benton of Washington, gen.
eral solicitor for the National Asso-
citation OF Railroad and Utilities Com
missioners, Matthew said:
MAY there be no disassociation OF
the different units of service which
have been welded by time and expe-
rience into homogeneous whole.
Above all, may nothing be done which
would destroy or qualify, even in the
slightest measure, the essential au-
tonomy which has been allowed the
commission for a half century-the
autonomy which, as we cannot fail
to know, is indispensable to the just
exercise Of the commissions far
reaching and salutary powers"
Applauds Caliber Of 1. c. c.
Benton declared that the basic rea-
son for the commissions success has
lain in the fact that the members
have been able and devoted to the
public service" and have surrounded
themselves with assistants of the same
caliber.
May the day never come when the
selection and direction Of that staff
shall be taken from the commission" :"
he said, continuing:
1T is proud record which the In
terstate Commerce Commission has
made. The breath of scandal has
never touched that commission. Its
judgments have never been swayed by
political consideration. No one would
claim that it has never been wrong,
but it may be justly said that it has
always endeavored to be right, and
that 1t has been an able commission
which has kept its course upon a
high pane, and has justly earned the
secure and exalted place it holds in
the public confidence"
Matthew and Benton spoke at the
morning session of a program which
was continuing this afternoon and
concluding tonight
Early Troubles Recalled.
Some of the early personnel troubles
Of the commission were recalled by
George NJ Crosland, assistant director
of the Bureau of Traffic.
At first, he said, the five commits
sioners-there now are 11-appor-
toned appointments among them
selves, but later allowed members Of
Senate and House to make the selec-