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following as criteria for the Commission to follow in making a determination as to the exempt status of any association.

(a) "Making such exemption inapplicable to such person is necessary to carry out the purposes of * **the National Transportation Policy declared in this act."

(b) "The Commission shall consider, among other things, which in its opinion are pertinent and revelant."

(c) "The facts and circumstances surrounding the organization and establishment of such activities."

(d) "The scope of the activities (1) geographically, (2) and as to commodities handled (3) and persons served."

(e) "The basis of charges if any for the service, or services provided."

(f) "The extent such activities are in competition with the services of freight forwarders subject to this part."

Under (a) there could be a complete lack of violation so far as points (b) through (f) are concerned, yet the association could still lose its exemption under some administrative ruling purporting to relate to the "National Transportation Policy." Similarly under (b) assuming the organization had a clean bill of health so far as points (c) through (f) were concerned, the Commission could look to "other things" which it thought pertinent and relevant in order to find a basis for revoking the exemption. No hint as to what these "other things" might be is given. There is no definition under (c) as to which might be considered favorable facts and circumstances surrounding the organization and which might be considered unfavorable facts and circumstances surrounding the organization of various shippers' associations. Certainly, by so stretch of the imagination could this language be construed as a standard since no elements either good or bad are set forth to enable a determination. Point (d) implies that substantial quantities of freight, large geographic areas, many commodities and a large number of persons are all bad so far as determining exempt status is concerned. Conversely, it would imply that little freight, small areas, few commodities and few persons might be more favorably considered. This section might be paraphrased to state that if the association is handling sufficient quantities of freight on behalf of its members to make its volume attractive to any freight forwarder, the Commission should remove its exempt status so that the freight forwarder could inherit the traffic. Point (e) would appear to deal with the method of handling overhead expenses in connection with the consolidation services. This is pure speculation since the language itself is simply not understandable. However, if overhead is the element involved we again would presume that large overhead expenses are bad and small overhead expenses are good. To this we will readily agree since any businessman today makes every effort to keep his overhead down and we can assure you that shippers in operating their association make the same effort. It is difficult to see the connection so far as the exemption is concerned, however. Point (f) is the catchall phrase. All else failing to remove the exemption the mere fact that freight forwarder service was available in the area involved in the shippers' consolidation would be grounds sufficient for the removal of the exemption. Thus, the bill seems to be saying that if any shippers' association is fortunate enough to retain its exemption through points (a) through (e) their efforts have been wasted since point (f) automatically knocks all associations out.

The only beneficiary under this change in the law would be the freight forwarders themselves. In fact, not all of the freight forwarders would benefit proportionately since 3 of the larger freight forwarders control over 75 percent of the freight forwarder business. Thus, the legislation would have the effect of legislatively creating a monopoly for three freight forwarding companies and seriously injuring thousands of small shippers across the country, many trucklines and the railroads. The small shippers would be substantially penalized in the increment in their freight charges on the shipments presently moving in the association cars. This penalty, in some instances would be so severe as to prevent the purchasing of goods from some areas causing either a shift in purchasing to closer markets, or the inability to merchandise that particular commodity. The trucklines would be injured to the extent that the rates presently paid by the freight forwarders to the trucklines handling traffic to the various consolidating points of the freight forwarders are by and large substantially less than the charges paid on the same merchandise by shipper associations. This impairment of revenues can have but one result and that is an increase so far as freight rates are concerned on the traffic other than freight forwarder being handled by these

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in this connection to application of such exemption on a case-by-case basis in conformance with definite criteria. With reference to the criteria proposed in S. 2713 it may be noted briefly that they are in some cases vague or unwarranted, i. e., the character or variety of the commodities handled, and the extent of competition with regulated freight forwarders. The amendment in the nature of a substitute to S. 2713 as introduced, would appear to further broaden the criteria rather than limiting it."

We heartily subscribe to Secretary Sawyer's statement to the effect that the present law could be enforced by more diligent application and, of course, recognize the Commission's limited funds with which to carry on these investigations. However, under section 19, H. R. 6141 and H. R. 6142, the Commission must on complaint investigate each such association. You may be assured that in the event this section becomes law the day following such enactment will find the Commission's office flooded with complaints directed at each and every shippers' association or pool car arrangement in the country. The staff of the Commission would thus be involved in making hundreds of investigations merely at the whim of the freight forwarders. There is no question but what every single association would have a complaint filed against it by the freight forwarders. Under the present law the Commission can similarly make such investigations, but would not be subjected to such wholesale floods of complaints.

4. Section 19 of H. R. 6141 is inconsistent with the avowed purpose and broad scope of the remaining provisions of that bill. It has been said that H. R. 6141, purporting to implement the Cabinet Committee report, is in essence a bill to free transportation enterprises from regulation. Much has been made of "free enterprise." Here, however, we are faced with an anomaly in that the freight forwarders are seeking more regulation in an attempt to secure a monopoly, and as previously pointed out this monopoly would injure thousands of receivers of freight throughout the country and prefer three large freight forwarders. A companion measure also sponsored by the freight forwarders provides for a change in the language granting permits to operate as a freight forwarder. It is proposed to substitute the language "certificate of convenience and necessity" which to all intents and purposes would prevent free entry into the field, thus, completing the stranglehold that the freight forwarders would secure on the transportation of small shipments.

There is nothing inherently sacred about the freight forwarding business as has been pointed out many times. The forwarders occupy the position of shippers with respect to the underlying transportation carriers with the exception that they perhaps do not pay as adequate freight rates as other shippers have to pay. They have no large investment in equipment or facilities and certainly should not be treated as a vested interest to the exclusion of all other businesses. We think inherently it is bad legislation to place the control of such an important segment of our economy as represented by LCL freight shipments in the hands of just a few people controlling three freight forwarders. This is particularly distasteful in an era where the Government is making every effort to save small business and prevent monopoly as has been the trend in the last few years.

5. H. R. 6141 embodies the identical language of S. 2713 as considered by the Senate Committee on Interstate and Foreign Commerce in the 82d Congress, 2d session. That this bill is repugnant to a large segment of the users of transportation becomes apparent in reviewing the record of hearings before the Senate Committee on Interstate and Foreign Commerce relative to S. 2713. Voluminous testimony from organizations representing thousands of shippers was presented at that hearing. Complete opposition was expressed by several national traffic organizations representing shippers large and small throughout the entire country. We have no doubt a perusal of this record would prove informative in connection with the instant hearings.

6. It would appear from the report of the Presidential Advisory Committee that they were not properly informed as to the true functions of shipper associations and may well not have realized their importance to thousands of businesses throughout these United States. The following statement appeared in their report: "Some shipper or shipper associations involved in consolidation or distribution of volumes of freight on a nonprofit basis for the purpose of securing lower rates although termed nonprofit in fact absorbed costs which include overhead, and the expenses involved go beyond those paid to a carrier." It is elementary that in any consolidation irrespective of any other factor there must be some expenses "beyond those paid to a carrier." Overhead expenses are a perfectly normal incident to doing business of any kind. In fact it would be

impossible to conduct a consolidation without paying something to someone for physically receiving the freight and loading it into a car, subsequently unloading and distributing the car at destination and, further, certain clerical and managerial expenses to properly take into account moneys handled and so forth. Apparently, the Advisory Committee did not understand the fundamental principles of freight consolidation if the mere fact that payments are made to someone other than a carrier imply that a shipper association is nonprofit.

To the best of our knowledge, no representatives of any shipper associations were asked to consult with the Advisory Committee in the preparation of its report and we would doubt that the Committee could have been fully informed as to its subject matter so far as section 19, H. R. 6141 is concerned.

CONCLUSIONS

1. The right of shippers to consolidate their own freight for the purpose of effecting the savings in freight charges and thus further their own business is fundamental. It is not susceptible to removal through administrative rulings and perhaps is not susceptible to removal through legislative processes because of constitutional guaranties.

2. The Interstate Commerce Commission under the present law is vested with adequate power to determine whether any shippers association or shipper is functioning as a freight forwarder or as a bona fide association exempt under the provisions of section 402 (c).

3. The proposed legislation is inspired by and promoted by the freight forwarding companies for the purpose of securing a monopoly on the handling of L. C. L. shipments to the exclusion of all others and the subsequent injury to small businesses. Their goal would be entirely a selfish one not dictated by considerations of the overall welfare of this country or the public interest.

4. The goal of this legislation is entirely contrary to the concepts found throughout the balance of the proposed bill which are primarily deregulatory in nature. The provisions of this bill impose more strict regulation on a large segment of our economy, increase monopoly and place the control of this segment of our economy in the hands of a very few. This is diametrically opposed to the stated policies of this and previous administrations whose every effort has been to maintain free enterprise.

5. The language of this bill is so broad and ambiguous as to place the legislative function in the hands of the Interstate Commerce Commission. There would be absolutely no means whereby any shipper or group of shippers could predetermine whether their operations were within or without the law. Each would be subject to an investigation by the Interstate Commerce Commission and could be forced to cease operations without any idea as to where the exact fault might lie. Subsequent appeals to the courts as to the constitutionality of the provision would certainly not be the answer since irreparable damage would have already been done. No legislation should be passed which carries within it such an obvious angle of attack from constitutional ground.

Mr. HARRIS. We have a request from the California Manufacturers Association to submit a statement for the record of their opposition to section 19 of the proposed bill.

(The statement is as follows:)

CALIFORNIA MANUFACTURERS ASSOCIATION,
Los Angeles, May 2, 1956.

Subject: Recommended opposition to section 19, S. 1920.

Hon. OREN HARRIS,

House Office Building,

Washington, D. C.

DEAR CONGRESSMAN HARRIS: I am enclosing an additional copy of my letter of November 17, 1955, relative to the above subject.

Please consider this recommended opposition to section 19, S. 1920, and corresponding provisions of H. R. 6141 and H. R. 6142 in the hearing now being conducted by your subcommittee.

Yours very truly,

L. E. OSBORNE,

Director, Freight Traffic Department.

CALIFORNIA MANUFACTURERS ASSOCIATION,
Los Angeles, November 17, 1955.

Subject: Recommended opposition to section 19, S. 1920.
Hon. OREN HARRIS,

House Office Building, Washington, D. C.

DEAR CONGRESSMAN HARRIS:This communication is addressed to you as chairman of the Transportaiton and Communications Subcommittee of the House Committee on Interstate and Foreign Commerce, with the request that you give earnest consideration to and vigorous opposition to legislation proposed under section 19, S. 1920 and similar portions of H. R. 6141 and H. R. 6142, purported to represent the recommendations of the April 1955 Report of the Presidential Advisory Committee on Transport Policy and Organization.

During the course of your subcommittee hearing in the House Rules Committee hearing room, beginning September 19, 1955, you announced that, although the hearing was intended only to receive views and recommendations by Cabinet members and representatives of transportation agencies involved, the subcommittee would accept written statements from any interested parties and would give such statements consideration in formulating your recommendations to the full committee. However, copies of this letter and the attachment are being furnished directly to members of the full committee as well as your subcommittee for their convenience and consideration.

Certain representations were made by Mr. Giles Morrow on behalf of the freight forwarders during the hearing on September 21 with which we take issue although that testimony has not been referred to specifically in the detailed position and recommendations attached hereto.

You are respectfully urged to review the attached recommendations for opposition to legislation proposed with respect to private shipper consolidations, described as freight forwarder associations in the bills and recommendation (d) of the Cabinet Committee report.

The California Manufacturers Association is unalterably opposed to any changes in section 402 (c) of the Interstate Commerce Act.

Yours very truly,

L. E. OSBORNE,

Director, Freight Traffic Department.

NOVEMBER 17, 1955.

POSITION OF THE FREIGHT TRAFFIC SECTION, CALIFORNIA MANUFACTURERS ASSOCIATION, IN OPPOSITION TO LEGISLATION PROPOSED BY S. 1920, H. R. 6141, AND H. R. 6142 PERTAINING TO SECTION 402 (c), INTERSTATE COMMERCE ACT

1. Recommendations of the Presidential Advisory Committee on Transport Policy and Organization

In a report to the President dated April 1955 there appears the following recommendation:

"Recommendation: Provide definite statutory standards for determining which shippers or shipper associations involved in consolidation or distribution of volume freight on a nonprofit basis for securing lower rates are entitled to exempt status."

In obvious pursuance of that recommendation, section 19 of S. 1920 introduced on May 9, 1955, by Senator Smathers, for himself and others, proposed the following statutory changes:

"SEC. 19. Subsection (c) of section 402 of the Interstate Commerce Act, as amended, is amended (1) by inserting after '(c)' the following: (1) Except as provided in paragraph (2) of this subsection,' and (2) by adding a new parapraph at the end thereof reading as follows:

"(2) After hearing in an investigation instituted on its own motion or upon complaint the Commission, by order, shall make the exemption provided for by paragraph (1) inapplicable to any person if it finds that the activities of such person are not being conducted solely for the purpose, and within the limitations, specified in such paragraph, or that making such exemption inapplicable to such person is necessary to carry out the purposes of this part and the national transportation policy declared in this Act. In the administration of this paragraph the Commission shall consider, among other things, which in its opinion are pertinent and relevant, the facts and circumstances surrounding the organization and establishment of such activities; the scope of the activities, geographically and as to commodities handled and persons served; the basis of charges, if any, for the

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