DESIRABILITY OF FIXING RAILROAD HEARING BEFORE A SUBCOMMITTEE OF THE COMMITTEE ON INTERSTATE COMMERCE UNITED STATES SENATE л SEVENTY-SIXTH CONGRESS FIRST SESSION ON S. J. Res. 58 A JOINT RESOLUTION PROVIDING FOR AN INVESTIGATION BASIS OF ZONES JUNE 16, 1939 Printed for the use of the Committee on Interstate Commerce CONTENTS John A. Hastings, Transportation Building, Washington, D. C. C. L. Hunter, Chairman, Trunk Line Association, Passenger De- Honorable William Lemke, a Representative at Large in the Con- III 2 INVESTIGATION OF FEASIBILITY AND DESIRABILITY OF FIXING RAILROAD RATES ON THE BASIS OF ZONES FRIDAY, JUNE 16, 1939 UNITED STATES SENATE, SUBCOMMITTEE OF COMMITTEE ON INTERSTATE COMMERCE, Washington, D. C. The subcommittee met, pursuant to call, at 10 a. m., in room 135, Senate Office Building, Senator Homer T. Bone, chairman of the subcommittee, presiding. Present: Senators Bone (chairman of the subcommittee), Johnson of Colorado, and Reed. Present also: Hon. William Lemke, a Representative at Large from North Dakota. Senator BONE (chairman of the subcommittee). The subcommittee will be in order. This hearing is called to take testimony in connection with Senate Joint Resolution 58, introduced on February 6, 1939, calling for an investigation of the feasibility and desirability of fixing railroad rates on the basis of zones. This appears to contemplate such zone rates for freight as well as passengers; but I understand that whatever is said here today will be largely in connection with passenger rates. (Senate Joint Resolution 58 is as follows:) [S. J. Res. 58, 76th Cong., 1st sess.] JOINT RESOLUTION Providing for an investigation of the feasibility and desirability of fixing railroad rates on the basis of zones Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That the Interstate Commerce Commission is authorized and directed to make a thorough study and investigation with respect to the feasibility and desirability of fixing the charges made by railroads, subject to its jurisdiction, for the transportation of passengers and goods, on the basis of zones, with a particular view toward the establishment of a simplified rate structure for the transportation of passengers and goods within or between such zones and the establishment of rates low enough to encourage full utilization of the carrying facilities of such railroads. The Commission shall report to the Congress of the United States the results of its study and investigation, together with such recommendations relating thereto as it deems appropriate, at the earliest practicable date, but not later than January 3, 1940. In carrying out the purposes of this joint resolution, the Commission shall have the same powers as are conferred upon it for carrying out studies and investigation in the performance of other duties imposed upon it by law. SEC. 2. There is hereby authorized to be appropriated the sum of $25,000 for carrying out the purposes of this joint resolution. 1 |