ITEMS OF INTEREST November 26, 1910 Issue

ITEMS OF INTEREST

At the twenty-second annual convention of National Association of Railway Commissioners, in session at Washington, President Decker, who is a member of the New York public service commission and an authority upon questions of this character, said: "The whole matter of express service and express rates demands careful and thorough examination, with a report upon existing conditions and any indicated remedies. Such inquiry could also involve consideration of the propriety and effectiveness of a parcels post. It is my view that a strong and large committee of the association, organized to go fully and actively into the whole subject, should be appointed. This does not mean that such investigation should go to the extent of determining whether specific rates are unreasonable or unjust, for that is a matter for action directly by the commissions, but it does include the bearing of the general express rate system upon commerce, requiring quick service, the public requirements, the effect of the present system of express companies, contracts with railroads, the manner in which express rates are constructed, and the particular services which are rendered therefor. If our present express system contains features that burden or prejudice the public interest, the system to that extent should be revised. If the whole scheme of express service, as now performed, is obsolete or radically defective, it should be thoroughly reformed."

Secretary Ballinger of the department of the interior has issued a long statement emphasizing the necessity that Congress provide a method for the exploitation of the oil resources of California which will protect the interests of the public. It must be borne in mind, the secretary explains, that if the Government does not obtain a decision in the courts reserving oil lands heretofore patented to the Southern Pacific Railroad Company, "it will materially affect the policy which should be developed by Congress. The railroad, if the owner of the odd sections, will be enabled with its checkerboard holdings to drain the oil from the reserved public lands while the Government keeps them under reservation."

It is now nearly six months since the first automatic scale purchased by the Government was installed on the docks of the American Sugar Refining Company in Williamsburg,

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