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Show I . i i Interstate Commerce Committee Declares President Can Handle Question. WASHINGTON. Aug 7 By direction di-rection of the senate interstate commerce com-merce committee, Chairman Oimmlns wrote President Wilson today that the committee believes he already has I "complete and plenary authority o i deal with" the new demands of the railroad workers for Increased wag' and that no additional taglflftUon Is ! neeeaeary to meet the present situa tion. "The committee,'' -wrote Chairman Cummins, "recognizes the gravity or the situation and earnestly desires 'o 1 eo-operate with you in bringing abour the proper solution of the difficult , problems which confront the country. li feels, however, that congress has ( 'already given you complete and plen-I plen-I ary authority to deal with tho exist-inc exist-inc situation and that additional legislation at this time can add not b ing whatever to your power in the premises. "The director general can fi the i wages of all men employed in the transportation service and it seems to : be clear that It is for him to say ! whether the compensation of theso : men should or should not bo in-I in-I creased. H' has all the available In-' ' formation which can possibly be se : cured and It is the view of the com-I com-I mittee that he should act in accordance accord-ance with the public interest and his 1 own judgment. He can b advised 1 iipon the subject by any board or tribunal which you may select for the purpose. "The director general has also the absolute richt to inltiato rates for transportation and can advance or I lower them as he may think neces-j neces-j sary or wise, to meet the requirements of the transportation systems in his charge and, moreover, he can put thi-new thi-new rates into effect whenever. In I his judgment, they should become et- 1 fective. "At the present time the interstate commerce commission has not the j authority to suspend for examination or approval the rates initiated by the! j director general, but even if the act.; which lately was passed by the senate and which has not yet passed the ' house, shall become a law the authori ty of the interstate commerce com - ; I mission must initiate the rates and 1 it is entirely impossible. In order to I pay any increased wages of railway' j operatives. "The committee is now diligently engaged q the preparation of a bill I for the general reorganization of our I system of regulation and control. One , ! common phase of the many plans which have been submitted relates to the further direction which ought to be given to the interstate commerce commission for its guidance in de terminin the reasonableness of rates Cpon that phase of the subject diverse di-verse opinions have been developed and it is thought to be unwise to bring ; forward for action by congress any I further legislation in that respect until un-til it can be associated with the, gen-I gen-I era I plan of reorganization. "If the committee felt that there was any lack of power on your part or on the part of the director general, gen-eral, it would be quick to act; but, in-, asmuch as it can perceivo no want of authority, it has reached the com elusion thai, no additional legislation Is required to meet the particular emergency which you have pointed out " |