OCR Text |
Show RAILROAD RATE LAW CONFUSING Capable of So Many Different Differ-ent Interpretations That Commission Is Swamped by Questions. WASHINGTON, Nov. 14. Learnedly as Congress discussed the new railroad rate law, it used language in the statute stat-ute capable of so many different interpretations inter-pretations that the Interstate Commerce commission is almost swamped by the deluge of questions pouring in upon it daily. It has become evident the commission snd the courts will make Government regulation of railroad rates a failure or a success, and if it be the former, members mem-bers of the commission frar the remedv the people probably will try will be that of Government ownership of transportation trans-portation facilities which William J. Bryan advocated in his New 1'ork speech, and which was partly responsible responsi-ble for Democratic defeat in the late campaign. Because Government economists are firmly convinced that Government ownership own-ership will retard rather than assist the pi ogress of the country they are impressing im-pressing nnon tbe commission the necessity neces-sity of wise interpretation of various provisions of the railroad rate law. The law presents so many new phases of the transportation problem, creating practically prac-tically a revolution in carriage business, that the commission feels it must go slow and be sure of its ground before rendering decisions. The commission is giving the various questions which have arisen its most careful consideration, but there is no doubt the carriers will appeal the most important to the courts. |