Evening star., 1946-07-13
4 Letter to the Editor
"A Letter to the Editor
MeIIett Disputed on His Version
OF the BuIwinkIe Rail Bill
Statements From Committee Record
Offered to Contradict Columnist
To the Editor of The Star.

10 the Eoltor OF Inc Star.
Mr.. Lowell Mellett's column "On
the Other Hand" in The Star OF
July IL, discussing the BulWinkle
bill, is not only extremely mislead-
ing in it's omissions and implica-
tons but contains outright mis-
statements of fact I realize that a
newspaper does not assume respon-
sibility for statements made by the
independent columns which it pub
fishes. but knowing the wish of The
Star to be fair and to present in its
columns only facts, I would be re-
miss If did not call your attention
to these specific misstatements.
Mr.. Mellett says that there
were no committee hearings on
the Bulwinkle bill in the House. In
fact, there were extensive hearings,
conducted for nine days in October,
1945. The testimony then presented
is to be found in an official commit
tee print of 419 pages. This print
is available to any one who wishes
to know the facts about the matter
The Committee on Interstate and
Foreign Commerce of the House
recommended the bill for passage
on November 16, 1945, in Report
No. 1912, Seventy-ninth Congress,
first session, House of Represent
atives. This report Is also available
to any one who wants to know the
facts. For ready reference a copy
is inclosed
The Nature of the Support.
This report contains the following
brief statement of the nature of the
hearings and the type of support
accorded the bill
"a full hearing was held on the
bill. 1t has virtually the unanimous
support of all interests directly
interested in transportation, includ-
ing governmental authorities, both
Federal and State, carriers of all
kinds, shippers throughout the coun-
try, railroad labor and agricultural
and livestock interests. None ap-
peared In opposition to 1t. Among
many hundreds Of private organiza-
tions and governmental depart
ments and agencies that, through
representation at the hearing, by
formal resolution or otherwise.
placed themselves on record as
favoring the bill are: The Office of
Defense Transportation, the Inter-
state Commerce Commission, the
National Association OF Railroad
and Utilities Commissioners, numer-
Gus State regulatory bodies, State
Legislatures, and Departments of
Agriculture Of many States: numer-
GUS shippers traffic and transporta-
ton organizations, including the
National Industrial Traffic League
and the National Association of
Shippers Advisory Boards; numer.
Gus associations of farmers and live
stock growers, including the Amer
lean Farm Bufeau Federation, the
American National Livestock Asso-
citation and the National Council of
Farm Co-operatives; and chambers
OF commerce and other business
organizations of various cities,
States and regions"
The hearings were we'll advertised
among shippers everywhere and all
interested parties. The House COM
mittee sought the appearance of the
Department of Justice and of Gov.
Arnall Of Georgia, with results thus
stated in the committees report:
THE Attorney General, in re-
sponse to request for an express
sion OF views, sent a letter to the
chairman of the subcommittee. This
letter, which appears at page 3 of
the hearings, expressed his opinion