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Lyne, James G., chairman, Federation for Railway Progress_-_-
Markham, Loren W., manager, Spokane (Wash.) Chamber of Com-

merce_

Mullikin, S. E., Chief, Planning Branch, General Services Adminis-
tration___.

Peters, J. S., Acting Director, Rates and Routes Division, General
Services Administration____.

Ray, Hon. Philip A., General Counsel, Department of Commerce_‒‒‒‒‒

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Barrett, Francis E., Jr., letter from, transmitting statement for New
England motor common carriers_.

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Testimony of Secretary Weeks before Senate Select Committee on
Small Business, December 2, 1955-----

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Federation for Railway Progress, supplementary statement of James
G. Lyne, chairman__.

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National Industrial Traffic League: Letter from J. R. Staley, vice
president, Quaker Oats Co., transmitting further information___.
Potash Company of America, letter from F. O. Davis, executive vice
president, transmitting statement...

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Additional information-Continued

Private Truck Council of America, Inc., letter from James D. Mann, Page
managing director_-_-

Transportation Association of America:

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Wisconsin Public Service Commission, statement of A. Wilford Lar-
son, chief, transportation division___

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TRANSPORTATION POLICY

TUESDAY, APRIL 24, 1956

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,

SUBCOMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION AND COMMUNICATIONS
OF THE COMMITTEE ON INTERSTATE AND FOREIGN COMMERCE,

Washington, D. C. The subcommittee met, pursuant to call, at 10 a. m., in the caucus room, Old House Office Building, Hon. Óren Harris (chairman of the subcommittee) presiding.

Mr. HARRIS. The committee will come to order.

The Subcommittee on Transportation and Communications of the House Committee on Interstate and Foreign Commerce today is beginning hearings on H. R. 6141 and H. R. 6142, identical bills, making substantial amendments to the Interstate Commerce Act. These bills were drafted by the Department of Commerce to carry out the recommendations contained in the report of the Presidential Advisory Committee on Transport Policy and Organization, and introduced by our colleagues, the chairman of this committee, Mr. Priest, and Mr. Wolverton, the ranking minority member, at the request of the Department.

It will be recalled that, last fall after the adjournment of Congress, this subcommittee had a week of hearings on the report itself, with the report being discussed by the three members of the Presidential Advisory Committee and by representatives of the transport industry affected.

In addition, at this time, in view of the relevancy to the matters contained in H. R. 6141, we also will take testimony on H. R. 525, relating to section 22, Government rates, a bill introduced by our distinguished colleague, a member of this committee, Mr. Hinshaw; H. R. 6208, relating to the fourth section introduced by our distinguished chairman, Mr. Priest: H. R. 9177 introduced by Mr. Hinshaw; and H. R. 9548, H. R. 9771, and H. R. 9772, introduced by myself on request, relating to freight forwarders. The bills above referred to are as follows:)

[H. R. 6141, 84th Cong., 1st sess.]

A BILL To amend the Interstate Commerce Act, as amended, so as to provide for a stronger national transportation industry, and for other purposes

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That this Act may be cited as the "Transportation Amendments Act of 1955."

SEC. 2. The national transportation policy preceding section 1 of the Interstate Commerce Act, as amended, is amended to read as follows:

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"It is hereby declared to be the national transportation policy of the Congress"(1) to provide for and develop, under the free enterprise system of dynamic competition, a strong, efficient, and financially sound national 5 transportation industry by water, highway, and rail, as well as other means, which is and will at all times remain fully adequate for national defense, the postal service, and commerce;

"(2) to encourage and promote full competition between modes of transportation at charges not less than reasonable minimum charges, nor more than reasonable maximum charges, so as to encourage technical innovations, the development of new rate and service techniques, and the increase of operating and managerial efficiency, full use of facilities and equipment, and the highest standards of service, safety, economy, efficiency, and benefit to the transportation user and the ultimate consumer, but without unjust discrimination, undue preference or advantage, or undue prejudice, and without excessive or unreasonable charges on noncompetitive traffic;

"(3) to cooperate with the several States and the duly authorized officials thereof, and to encourage fair wages and equitable working conditions; "(4) to reduce economic regulation of the transportation industry to the minimum consistent with the public interest and to the end that the inherent economic advantages, including cost and service advantages, of each mode of transportation may be fully realized in such a manner so as to reflect its full competitive economic capabilities; and

"(5) to require that such minimum economic regulation be fair and impartial, without special restrictions, conditions, or limitations on individual modes of transport.

"All the provisions of this Act shall be construed, administered, and enforced with a view of carrying out the above declaration of policy."

SEC. 3. (a) Paragraph (4) of section 1 of the Interstate Commerce Act, as amended, is amended to read as follows:

"(4) It shall be the duty of every common carrier subject to this part to provide and furnish transportation upon reasonable request therefor, and to establish reasonable through routes with such other carriers, and rates, fares, charges, and classifications, regulations, and practices to be applied in connection therewith which result in charges not less than just and reasonable minimum charges nor more than just and reasonable maximum charges; and it shall be the duty of common carriers by railroad subject to this part to establish reasonable through routes with common carriers by water subject to part III, and rates, fares, charges, and classifications, regulations, and practices to be applied in connection therewith, which result in not less than just and reasonable minimum charges nor more than just and reasonable maximum charges. It shall be the duty of every such common carrier establishing through routes to provide reasonable facilities for operating such through routes and to make reasonable rules and regulations with respect to their operation, and providing for reasonable compensation to those entitled thereto; and in case of joint rates, fares, or charges, to establish just, reasonable, and equitable divisions thereof, which shall not unduly prefer or prejudice any of such participating carriers."

(b) Paragraph (5) of section 1 of the Interstate Commerce Act, as amended, is amended to read as follows:

"(5) All charges made for any service rendered or to be rendered in the transportation of passengers or property, or in connection therewith, shall be not less than just and reasonable minimum charges nor more than just and reasonable maximum charges therefor, and every charge for such service which is less than a reasonable minimum charge or more than a just and reasonable maximum charge is prohibited and declared to be unlawful."

(c) Paragraph (6) of section 1 of the Interstate Commerce Act, as amended, is amended to read as follows:

"(6) It is hereby made the duty of all common carriers subject to the provisions of this part to establish, observe, and enforce classifications of property for transportation, regulations, and practices which when applied with the rates, fares, and charges of such carriers result in charges not less than just and reasonable minimum charges, nor more than just and reasonable maximum charges, and just and reasonable regulations and practices affecting classifications, rates, or tariffs, the issuance, form, and substance of tickets, receipts, and bills of lading, the manner and method of presenting, marking, packing, and delivering property for transportation, the facilities for transportation, the carrying of personal, sample, and excess baggage, and all other matters relating to or

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