The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1916-12-01
7 ITO EXPEDITE DECISION
IN ADAMSON LAW TESTS
United States Attorneys and Railway
Lawyers Plan to Hasten Final Rui-
ing on Eight Hour Law-ThOm
Gives Viewpoint of Carriers.

Washington, Nov. 23.-Conferences
between Attorney General Gregory and
counsel for important railway systems
of the country, looking to the eXpedi-
tioa to the supreme court of one OF
tne suits attacking the constitution
atty of the '!damson act, virtually
we're CONDUCTED today and the ques-
ton of which shall be made the tes-
case was placed in the hands Of de-
partment of justice attorneys and le-
gal representatives of the railroads
now in Kansas City.
1t was said tonight that in the con-
fereaces here the form of the agree
ment between the attorney general and
the railroad lawyers was iii substance
decided upon and that the only mat
ter to be determined in Kansas City
is whether the suit of the Missouri
Oklahoma & Gulf railroad, decided
Yesterday against the government, or
that of the Santo Fe, set for hearing
tomorrow. shall be made the test
case.
In substance the plan provides that
both the department and the roads
agree in every way to expedite ana
actively press the case to be determ-
ined upon to a final decision In tns
supreme court, and tsat during the
perdency of the suit the government
will not begin any prosecutions OF car
riers for failure to apply the law. Dur
ing its pendency the carriers Will
institute no more suits and at its de-
termination both parties to the agree
ment would be bound by the supreme
court decision, the carriers agreeing
rot to bring Other actions If the Ia"
is found constitutional and to drop
all remaining suits. Neither party Is
bound bv the agreement to refrain
from efforts to bring about Legislation
which might change the Adamson
act
It was explained tonight that the
question of choosing a test case should
be put in the hands Of the attorneys
in Kansas City because OF the lack Oh
sufficient information here 70 war
rant an agreement in this point.
The Joint congressional committee
the subject OF transpor-
tation with A. P Thorn, counsel 1ol
the railway executive advisory COM
mittee. speaking for two hours and
half on railroad problems OF the oaS'
10 will continue tomorrow and ma!
not end his argument before the ehu
of the week. 49,,
Mr. Thorn dwelt particularly on the
railroads need for credit II they are
to extend and keep TRANSPORTATION
facilities up to the standard lhe puo-
lie demands.
He said that in the last 16 years
the percentage of railroad securltleS
constituting liens against the prop
ertv had increased from ABOUT 10
rer cent. to about 65 per cent. Oh .iie
ota, securities and predicted tha'
.inanciers who would come before tne
Committee later would testify that the
d,rser line had been reached. NC
investing public, Mr.. Thorn sala' ue,
per cent. return and
NOR cent. surplus fund yearly 70 pro-
ride against lean years and such
roturn is almost impossible on ran
road stocks under present conditions
ua nointed out that Europe not ohi'
w. caased to take American railway
stocks but is selling back hundreos
of millions of those once owned anu
that the new money to keep the ROADS
Going TO extend them and to opeh
IN vast undeveloped fields must colhs
from the American people, VINO ho"
are unwilling to invest.
.1f government ownership OF rail-
roads comes in this country saAu
w.. Tnom. lit will be because OF tne
God of credit which private owners
ca,, not supply" He added that III
HE oninion one way to reduce tnS
cost of living is to give the rallfoau0
capital to open up new terrltory'
"The decision OF the American pso-
,,e has gone FORTH said the witness
in conclusion, that the railroads
rn,st - stav out of politics. The;
~ shou,d se., to it that the side that
wants to attack the railroads stays
mt of politics. too. I plead with you
for a nonpolitical business reguia1loh
Of railroads that would give ever
guarantee possible that questions
shall be decided on principles or ous-
mess righteousness and not on prlnci-
o1os of nolitical expediency.