In previous annual messages I have suggested the enactment of laws to
promote railroad consolidation with the view of increasing the efficiency
of transportation and lessening its cost to the public. While,
consolidations can and should be made under the present law until it is
changed, vet the provisions of the act of 1920 have not been found fully
adequate to meet the needs of other methods of consolidation. Amendments
designed to remedy these defects have been considered at length by the
respective committees of Congress and a bill was reported out late in the
last session which I understand has the approval in principle of the
Interstate Commerce Commission. It is to be hoped that this legislation may
be enacted at an early date.
Experience has shown that the interstate commerce law requires definition
and clarification in several other respects, some of which have been
pointed out by the Interstate Commerce Commission in its annual reports to
the Congress. It will promote the public interest to have the Congress give
early consideration to the recommendations there made.