Mr. TowNSBND. Is it your opinion that the railroads are fair with
the people in making those statements of the apportionment of
earmngs ?

Mr. Wilcox. My judgment would be that too many things are
called betterments which are really renewals. I do not think that
they are conservative enough about it.
Mr. TowNSEND. You think they are* treating themselves unfairly
in those reports ?

Mr. Wilcox. Yes, sir ; every man who makes a report likes to show
that he has strengthened the property. In that respect I think they
call things betterments which are probably merely renewals.
Mr. TowNSEND. Now, one more thing, which is not just pertinent
to this, but in order to understand your relation to this I will ask
you this question: You have been quite interested in opposing the
enlargement of the powers of the Interstate Commerce Commission,
and especiallv as representing the principles set forth in the Quarles-
Cooperbill?

Mr. Wilcox. Y^es, sir.
Mr. TowNSEND. And you had something to do with getting the
withdrawal of indorsements of people who had signed the petition
of "Freight?"



PE0P08ED AMENDMENT OF INTEESTATE-COMMEBCE LAW. 2H7

Mr. "Wilcox. Yes, sir ; I had something to do with that.
Mr. TowNSEND. "VVliat did you do in connection with that ?

Mr. Wilcox. Well, let me see. Perhaps I ought to say this, that
I have always lived in New York, so that I know a number of these
gentlemen myself, and I suggested to gentlemen who knew them,
M'hom I did not know, that they should bring the matter to their
attention, and made suggestions to them on the lines that I have sug-
gested this morning.
