The ICC did issue orders. That was its job. But it did so only after a series of proceedings which somebody initiated and in which everybody interested could be heard. Questions were asked; answers were supplied; comments and statements were given -- then the ICC comissioners (appointed by an incumbent administration) conferred with their staff (career transportation people) to reach a decision. The initiator could be any of a number of parties -- carrier, shipper, governmental agency (often the Justice Department, but sometimes local or state entities) or even the ICC itself -- but the procedure always happened. An ICC order came only after anybody with something to say had said it. The ICC's basic mandate included adherence to and enforcement of a National Transportation Policy, which could and did change with each administration. And the ICC was hampered by having jurisdiction only over rail, barge and motor carriage; air and steamship were two different agencies. Then deregulation happened, giving us the healthy transportation infrastructure and institutions we have today. Yeah -- right! Randy Brown - -------------------------------------------------------------- > I doubt that the ICC "ordered" N&W to take on the EL or anything like > that. But I also think that I doubt that as well from all I know. But Mike indicated otherwise, so I'm ready for a second opinion. Every so often, I see some reference to the ICC on this and other lists in a derogatory manner. And there's lots to criticize it for -- but to perpetuate the idea that it simply acted on its own is, in my opinion, incorrect. Obviously, others have a different opinion, and I'm ready to hear their argument. Cheers, Jim The Erie Lackawanna Mailing List http://EL-List.railfan.net/ To Unsubscribe: http://Lists.Railfan.net/erielackunsub.html ------------------------------
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