Evening star., 1939-05-20
The Political Mill
Wheeler Bill, Designed to EquoIize All
transportation, Comes Up Monday

starts the bill OF, is important. It
says: 1T is hereby declared to be
the national transportation policy of
the Congress to provide for fair and
impartial regulation of all modes of
transportation subject to the pro-
visions Of this act, so administered
as to recognize and preserve the in
herent advantages Of each" In
other words, the purpose is not to
run the water carriers or the trucks
out OF business for the sake of the
railroads, nor, on the other hand, to
permit the water carriers and the
motor trucks and buses to elimi-
nate the railroads-where these va
rious kinds Of transportation have
inherent advantages to the public.
The declaration of policy contin-
ues with promises ito promote safe,
adequate, economical and efficient
service and foster sound economic
conditions in transportation and
among the several carriers: to en-
courage the establishment and
maintenance of reasonable charges
for transportation services, without
unjust determinations, undue pref
erences or advantages, or unfair or
destructive competitive practices
and to encourage fair wages and
equitable working conditions estab-
hshed through collective bargain
ing; all to the end of insuring the
development and preservation of a
national transportation system ade-
quate at all times to meet most
economically and efficiently the full
needs OF the commerce Of the United
States, OF the postal service and of
the national defense"
Guides Rate Making.
The bill lays down a rate max
Ing rule, which Senator Wheeler
insists protects the water carriers
against the railroads. This rule
emphasizes that the commission
shall prescribe just and reason
able rates. giving due consideration
among other factors to the effect of
rates on the movement of traffic
by the carriers for which the rates
are prescribed. It also provides
tnat the rates must be lowest
consistent with furnishing such
service, taking into consideration
tne public interest and the need
OF revenues sufficient to enable the
carriers. under honest, economical
and efficient management to pro-
vide the service.
Two Investigations are provided
for the bill-one to look into the
question of regional rates. which
Is demanded by southern Senators
who complain that their section
OF the country has long been dis
eliminated against in the matter
OF transportation rates. The other
is to be made by a board of re-
search and investigation" appointed
by the President, to determine the
fitness of the various kinds of car
riers, and the extent of Subsidy"
they receive from public funds.
No Other Rail Bills.
The Wheeler bill is one of three
measures relating to the railroads
expected to pass at the present ses-
sion. Another is the Chandler bill,
already passed by the House, which
in effect sets up a moratorium for
railroads under certain conditions,
AS 1t now stands 1t would affect,
1t Is said, only two roads, the B.
and o. and the Lehigh. The third
bill would set up in Washington
a special court to handle the af-
fairs Of carriers in receivership or
bankruptcy.
A minority report. filed by Sena-
tor Shipstead, attacks the Wheeler
bill on the ground that there is
no general demand for the new
regulation of carriers. particularly
the water carriers: that the legis-
lation will increase transportation
costs to the public and that it would
force water carriers to increase rates
to the level of the railroads, in the
end putting them out of business.
Senator Wheeler and his commit
tee have given the bill the most in
tensive study of any legislation that
has come before Congress in a long
time.