New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-12-06

well as those not so occupied, require
the very best service which can be
given by the railroads is also clear.
fully concur in the statement OF the
majority report that 1T is necessary
that our transportation systems De
placed and kept on the rlane Of high
est efficiency and also that this can
only be secured through unifcation OF
their operation during the period OF
war
"But the majority report takes the
position. at least by implication. that
this unifcation may be effected by the
carriers themselves. With that Judg-
ment | wholly disagree"
Commissioner McChord here sum-
marizes the efforts OF the railroads TO
meet the burdens of war conditions
through the appointment OF successive
central committees, the fifth and last
Of which is the War Board or eXecu-
tive committee of the special Commit
tee or National Defence of the Amerl-
can Railways Association. The hrst
two of these committees, he says, were
given no real authority, and only as
late as November "a did the present
War Board begin taking such an essen,
tial step as the pooling of cars and
facilities.
Doubts Voluntary Committees
81 do not wish to be understood as
saying that the carriers committee has
not accomplished results" the Com
missioner continued. ''nor that the
shippers have not cooperated with the
carriers to get greater service from
the available equipment, for the
heavier car loading has been a very
material factor of improvement. but
our experience with railroad commit
tees during the last year makes me
believe that no voluntary committee
can accomplish what the situation de-
mands.
"One Of the principal reasons is
that the element Of self-interest, the
traffic influence, is persistent factor
in postponing and resisting measures
that seek to disregard individual
rights in the effort to secure trans
portation results as whole.
1.-THE merely individual and com
petitiye activities and the established
operating practices have their effect,
despite directions or recommendation
that have no sanction TO enforce them
except a voluntary agreement which
is very general in character.
Objects to Carriers Control
There runs also in the activities Of
these committees the self-evident pur-
pose to do whatever appears TO be nee
essary to prevent the governmental au-
thority from acting. For these and
other reasons which il is not necessary
to state, I cannot concur IN report 10
the Congress which apparently &C.
auiesces in continuation OF controi
over the transportation situation by
committee appointed By the carriers
themselves.
"The suggestions with reference TO
the antitrust laws. the anti-pooling
provision of Section . of the act, the
desirability Of government loans for
capital purposes and the regulation OF
security issues undoubtedly have merit,
but in nv judgment their enactment
into law viii not make il possible for
any committee appointed by the car
riers to secure the full measure OF
transportation service which the pres
ent conditions demand.
"The 'unif cation needed il our trans
nortation systems are TO be placed and
kent on the plane of highest efficiency
is the unifcation Of the present diversi-
fed governmental control.
Present Government Powers
AT the present time there are sew
oral Federal agencies authorized by law
To issue orders or directions with re-
spect 10 transportation. This commits
sion. by the car service act, approved
MAY %, 1917, was given very broad
movers 20 issue summary directions
with respect TO the movement, distribu-
ton, exchange, interchange and return
Of cars.
"The priority director. designated by
the President for the purpose under
the act approved August 10. 1917, is
authorized to direct that traffic essen
tial to the national defence shall be
given priority in transportation, and
he has made certain orders OF that
character
material Of var. under the amendment
to the act TO regulate commerce, APP
proved August 90, 1916, is required
rpcn the demand Of the President to
he given preference over all other
traffic in time Of war. and by direc-
tior Of the Army and Navy depart
ments and the United States Shipping
BOARD preference orders have been
,;y.n yor thu tran no ration of n very