The National Board of Trade, one of the most important commercial organizations in the country and one of the most influential, met in Washington on Tuesday, January 19, 1909. Two proposed resolutions were submitted to that convention. First, by the Philadelphia Press League, urging an amendment to the interstate commerce law, to permit railroads engaged in interstate traffic to enter into the making of agreements under the supervision and control of the Interstate Commerce Commission. The second proposition was submitted by the Scranton Board of Trade, embodying the provisions of the amendment offered in the committee upon the consideration of Senate bill 423, and approved in the report of the Interstate Commerce Commission as to the advance of rates.
These resolutions were referred to the committee on resolutions having charge of interstate commerce matters. That committee, through its chairman, made the following report, which was unanimously indorsed by the convention of the National Board of Trade:
"The committee on interstate commerce law respectfully reports that, in its judgment, the National Board of Trade ought not at this time to recommend any change in the laws relating to interstate commerce."
The convention was not satisfied with the passage of this resolution, but the chairmen of the several committees of that association were subsequently authorized and directed by resolution to urge the conclusions of the board in its name whenever possible.
The country is now demanding repose in its industrial upbuilding. It is not a time to experiment and to change the basis upon which the former acts to regulate commerce have been predicated. The recent law passed by Congress so greatly enlarging the authority of the commission should, before changes are sought, have the opportunity of at least a fair trial as to the value of its provisions in the regulation of interstate commerce. When trial has been given and normal conditions have been restored, any defect in the regulating statute can then, in the light of experience, be promptly remedied.
FOOTNOTE:
[J] The average rate per ton mile in 1908 was 7.54 mills.