The Democratic banner. (Mt. Vernon, Ohio) 1898-192?, 1916-11-21
INTEREST
IN HEARING OF NEWLANDs' RES
oLuTloN ECLIPsEs MEETINGS
OF ITO kIND-MANY PRoMl-
NENT MEN IN WASHINGTON.


Washington, d. c., Nov. 1S-The ar
rival in the capital of many prominent
railroad officials, financiers, econom.
lists, and representatives of commercial
and industrial organizations through
out the country indicates the wide
spread interest that is taken in the big
railroad investigation under the New.
lands resolution, which is to be launch
ed here Monday with the beginning of
series of public hearings to be con-
Quoted by the joint subcommittee
OF congress appointed for the purpose.
While the joint committees work
Will be distinct from that OF the special
investigating commission, authorized
by the Adamson law, enacted to pre-
vent the threatened railroad strike, it's
scope will be broad and any legisla-
ton recommended in the report to be
made may include questions involved
in the controversy between the roads
and their employees.
The'public Importance that attaches
to the Newlands probe, however, lies
In the fact that it is the first investi-
cation attempted in this country with
view OF lnquiring into the advisable
ty of government control or govern
ment ownership of the railroads and
other public utilities. For some time
past rumors have been in circulation
to the effect that the committee will
seize the opportunity TO make thor
ough investigation OF assets and con-
troll of the railroads to acquire the
properties by purchase or condemna-
tion proceedings.
These rumors have been strength
ened by statements and interviews Civ
en- out by Senator Newlands, head of
the committee, who in recent ad-
uless in Chicago declared that IF gov
ernment regulation fails, government
ownership of railways is inevitable.
There is no other course open in set
ting disputes between the big employ
ers and employees in public utilities.
Government control or ownership is
the question of the hour and must be
faced by the people"
According TO Senator Newlands the
plans Of the committee with relation
10 the question of government owner
snip will include consideration OF
The practical results as to efficiency
and economy where actually practiced;
whether it is compatible with our sys-
tem of government; what its effect will
be on our institutions, and whether
such a system would suit local needs.
A practical method OF acquiring the
| pi operties and securities of the rail
Dads also will have to be devised, he
says.
The principal questions that will con-
front the subcommittee are:
Whether there shall be absolute gov
ernment ownership of the railroads as
well as of other public utilities, such
as telegraph, wireless, cable, tele-
phone and express companies; or
Whether there shall be continued
Federal regulation, including require
ment of Federal incorporation or con-
| troll of incorporation of railroads, with
increased powers given to the Inter
state Commerce Commission.
One of the principal arguments
against government ownership will be
the claim that it will bring into poll
tics the 100000 employees, and that
the efficiency of tt.e roads when hand
led by the government will be less
than by private hands. In answer to
this the advocates of government own
ership will point to the postofiice sys-
tenn as an instance where government
control, is best.
While the resolution creating the
committee calls for report to Con
eress ON or before the second Mon
day in January, it is assumed that an
extension of time will be granted, and
plans have been made for an inquiry
that may require nearly two years for
its completion.
While no definite decision has been
reached, it is expected to hold hearings
in the principal cities of the country
as well as in Washington, and the
tentative itinerary includes New York
Chicago, Omaha, Kansas City, st
Louis. San Francisco, New Orleans
and Atlanta. 1t is not expected, how
ever, that any hearings will be helc
outside of Washington before the first
of the year.
The committee will ask leading
economists, publicists, railroad com
missions, railroad executives, employ
es, investors, farmers, ship
pers, bankers, and representatives o
business and industrial organizations
to attend these hearings and presen
their opinions on the important sub
iects involved in the Investigation.