U.S. transit chief to visit

U.S. Transportation Secretary Norman Mineta plans to stop at Salt Lake-based Overstock.com today to talk about a plan to reduce congestion on the nation's highways, rail lines, and at airports and ports.

The Internet retailer last week received a subpoena from the Securities and Exchange Commission seeking information about its accounting policies and financial projects, as well as records of allegations made by the company's chief executive, Patrick Byrne. He has accused hedge-fund managers, financial analysts, and business journalists of spreading information about Overstock.com that he claimed drove down its stock prices to benefit short sellers.

Transportation-department officials said Thursday they had no knowledge of the subpoena when they arranged Mineta's visit.

The secretary's plan makes a strong call for private investment in the nation's transportation structures and systems. Mineta officially unveiled the plan Tuesday during a speech to the National Retail Federation in Washington. The initiative comes at the start of an election season, when Republicans are fighting to retain control of Congress.

"Congestion is not a fact of life," Mineta said in a statement. "We need a new approach and we need it now."

In Utah, Mineta is scheduled to tour Overstock.com's distribution center in Salt Lake City and announce details of the plan to reduce congestion.

Company spokesman Scott Blevins said Mineta's visit was in no way connected to the SEC subpoena. "We don't know him," Blevins said. "They contacted us. It was completely independent, and we don't know how his visit would help."

"We, by the way, welcome the subpoena," he added.

Overstock.com, which buys excess inventory from other companies and sells it at clearance prices, shipped around 11 million packages last year from its two warehouses in Salt Lake and Indiana. Efficient transportation is essential for the company, "both for bringing in product and distributing to customers," said Blevins.

A spokeswoman for the Transportation Department said Mineta has been touring the country this week to talk about the Bush administration's congestion-relief plan. Mineta is also scheduled to appear in Albuquerque, N.M., later today, after he leaves Salt Lake.