The twice-a-week Twin Falls times. (Twin Falls, Idaho) 1916-1918, 1917-12-13
PRESIDENT WILSON SAID TO
CONTEMPLATE HIS SELEC-
TION
Has Studied Subject for
Years
Washington Still Guessing at
What the Presidential PROPOSE
ton Will be-Joint Session on
Plan Expected.

WASHINGTON, Dec. ~ Louis |
Brandeis of Boston, associate justice
of the supreme court of the United
States, is choice for the position of |
railroad dictator of the United States |
of President Wilson, if the president
finally decides that the railroads must
be operated under federal control
Justice Brandeis has expressed a dis
inclination to serve, but is being very
strongly urged to do so. He has srg-
gested to the president the name of
substitute, but the latter has himself
urged upon president Wilson the SUI
perior desirability of Justice Brandeis
President Wilson wants the SUI
preme court justice to serve If the
roads are taken over, as now seem
certain, because of his long study Of
the American railroad problem and
his championship of the government
idea, in connection with which he is
a pioneer.
1t is known that Justice Brandeis is
contented with his position on the su-
preme bench and would prefer to re-
main there, but it is entirely possible
that President Wilson will be success
full in inducing him to take up the
work of directing the American rail-
roads if the plan of the Interstate
Commerce commission is finally APP
proved by the executive and by con-
gress.
1t is understood that the president
has practically made up his mind that
| the railroads must be operated by the
| federal government and has already
outlined general plans for an operat-
ing system. Under it the Interstate
Commerce commission would act as an
advisory board of directors.
In Difference, however, to the rail-
road experts who still desire to con
suit him, including the railway chiefs
who called on him this afternoon ard
the members of congress who are
badly divided on the railway problem
the president is going to maintain IAN
open mind" on what action he will
recommend. Generally speaking h.
has reached a decision but it is moi
an unchargeable one. The very fact
that he carefully inspected the revo-
lutionary report of the Interstate Com
MERGE commission which sounded the
doom of individual control and oper-
alton of railroads and approved its
general statements before it was
made public is sufficient proof that
the president believes that material
changes in the transportation system
must be made. And ever since the
report was made public certain de-
yelopments have made it still moro
imperative that the railroads be speed
ed up. The coal shortage which has
interfered with munition making II
certain sections of New England Is
attributed directly to the failure O
the railroads to speed up. And iror
and steel supplies for munition plants
have been detained in transit withou
any very good reason so far as tli'
presidents closest advisers can see
1t is believed that the president vii
begin his proposed address to con
gress soon after he finishes the series
of conferences which are now II
progress. He has been told by thu
leaders in both houses that they vii
require only an hours notice to az
. range for joint sessions and it is no
. likely that there will be any grea
delay between the announcement tina
the president is going to congress ant
! the calling of the joint session to hea
him. His railroad plan, officials say
will be guarded as fully as was hi
recent message outlining the nationa
war aims.