Evening star., 1940-03-15
L.C.C. Control
Of WATERWAYS
Hit as Ruthless
WheeIer-Leu Bill
Assui|ed as Product
OF Railroad Lobby

bill which would place waterways
under regulation of the Interstate
Commerce Commission was made
today by Representative Culkin, Re-
publican, of New York, who asserted
the legislation was a product of
the ruthless railroad lobby"
For the past 20 years, the Inter-
state Commerce Commission hasnot
regulated, railroads but railroads
have regulated the commission,
Mr.. Culkin asserted before the 35th
annual convention of the National
River and Harbors' Conference at
the Mayflower Hotel.
The ruthless railroad lobby am
ply financed and ably led, is today
on the verge of victory in their
long-range plan to destroy water
ways, the yardstick of transporta-
ton rates."
The chief concern of the I. G. c.,
he said, sis to enable railroads to
pay interest and dividends on their
stocks, bonds and other alleged as
sets which theoretically represent
the railroads swollen and watered
capitalization, much of which is
obsolescent."
Bill in Conference.
The bill, sponsored by Senator
Wheeler of Montana and Repre-
sentative Lea of California, is now
In conference and is reported to
have the backing of President
Roosevelt. Hearings were recently
completed and enactment of the bill,
from all indications, may be one
Of the major issues at this session
OF Congress.
Representative Culkin declared
that although the House hearings
were conducted with a reasonable
degree of propriety" those in the
Senate were shambles"
He said the majority of the Sen
ate committee led by Senator
Wheeler assumed the role of prose-
cutors and any proponent or de-
fender of the waterways that ap-
peared was manhandled in fashion
which would not be permitted in a
police court.
Mr.. Culkin praised Secretary of
Agriculture Wallace, Secretary of
War Woodring and Admiral Emory
s. Land, chairman of the Maritime
Commission, for their opposition to
the bill.
Roosevelt Lauds Service"
Earlier, the Congress received
praise for its excellent service"
from President Roosevelt and an i'm
piled warning that a veto awaits
increases in congressional authori-
cations for new navigation projects.
Senator Bailey, Democrat, of North
Carolina, chairman of the Commerce
Committee, said it was highly un-
likely that new authorizations would
be approved at this session because
of the necessity of scaling down all
Federal expenditures. Mr.. Roose-
welt, he said, felt that sufficient
navigation and flood control projects
had been authorized to last two or
three years and was opposed to new
authorizations.
The House Flood Control Com
mittee will start hearings Monday
on an omnibus bill for new projects.
Chairman Wilmington, Democrat, of
Mississippi told delegates yesterday
that his committee would propose
q program to cost from $15O,0OO 900
to SITS, 100000.
Eight members of the House of
Representatives conferred on the
problems of Americas waterways
today at the Mayf1ower Hotel, where
the 35th annual convention of the
congress began the last day of its
sessions.
The opening meeting yesterday
heard message of congratulation
from President Roosevelt. on "the
excellent service rendered to the
public" by the congress.
Work accomplished to date in
the interest of navigation, flood con-
troll and water conservation, for
which your organization is in no
small measure responsible" the
President wrote, has placed this
country in forward position among
the nations of the world with re-
spect to the planning and develop
ment OF rivers and waterways.
Waterways Invaluable.
I'm my message to your associa-
ton in March year ago, when
world events were beginning to force
us to attend more closely to our sys-
tenn of national defense, I COM
mented upon your advocacy of a ra-
tional development of our water
ways, an element of our communi-
cation system essential to the safety
and defense of the Nation.
Although all of us regret the
emergency that has since arisen
these circumstances make this an
opportune time for serious thought
as to the adequacy of all forms OF
transportation. In this connection
our waterways properly protected
and improved are invaluable"
Today's Speakers.
The Representatives speaking this
morning are Lea, Democrat, of Cali
fornia, chairman of the House Inter-
state Commerce Committee; Culkin
Democrat. of New York; Leavy
Democrat, of Washington; Clason
Republican, of Massachusetts,; Zim-
norman, Democrat, Of Missouri
Carter. Republican, of California;
Ellis, Democrat, of Arkansas.
Representative Nichols, Democrat
OF Oklahoma, presided at the ses-
sion. The final meeting was sched-
uled for this afternoon, when Sena-
. tor Miller, Democrat, of Arkansas
will issue the report of the Projects
Committee of the Rivers and Har-
bors Congress. of which he is chair
man, and Representative Secrest
Democrat. of Ohio, will issue the
Resolutions Committees report.
Silver Ten Tomorrow