Ease-up on railroads is backed in Senate

The Senate approved a compromise bill to ease government regulation of the railroad industry. The House passed the bill earlier by voice vote. The bill would allow railroads to raise rates within specific guidelines without interference from the Interstate Commerce Commission, which now must approve all rail rate increases or decreases no matter how small. The bill's passage means rail freight rates will probably go up faster than they would have under commission regulation, but the legislation's sponsors say that it will lead to a stronger rail freight system.