Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-12-11

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report also carried the suggestion that
additioual legislation might be needed
were tho government to decide TO take
oTcr operation OF the roads.
The Presidents advisers are divided
in their views. but most of them have
come out for government; operation
and Some OF the strongest supportc rs
of this proposal declare that :nc cxccu-
Tive already Under Tho army appropra-
tion act has power TO take over the
roads for operation under a;i admins
traitor.
RAILROADS SEEK No
LEGISLATION EEPEXJ.S
The position uf the railroads them
selves was set forth to-day in a letter
To Senator Ncwlands from Fairfa& I!ar-
rison. chairman OF the railroad board
rh" railroads. he declared. do not seek
repeal OF any legislation. believing
th- cooperative use Of facilities re-
Gently pu; into operation wil bring
about maximum efficiency. .icither do
,h:y seek loan from the government.
he said. although government aid IL
asked in obtaining for them on their
own individual credit new capital
nncded. Further measures TO make
tile roads more efficient. Mr.. Harrison
suggested, would be an Increase in
rates, priority for transportation of
new material. appointment of II traffic
manager for government freight and
exemption from the draft for railroad
employees.
The railroads opposition to govern
mtnt operation is we'll understood
among officials who have followed the
situation, but some surprise was cx-
pressed tonight at their objection 10
suapc nsion OF provisions against pool
ing traffic and profits. III the opinion
of many officials, 4 complete co-ordi :
nation OF rail systems cannot be accom-
plishcd until the roads pool their traffic,
which OF itself involves pooling OF
profits.
The advantages in pooling have
been pointed TO rs the chief argu-
!nent for government operation, since
the government directing the lines
could pool traffic without violating in
h!bit!ons imposed now for the protcc-
lion OF the public.
in its special repor; to Congress
made public a few days ago. the IN
I terstate Commerce Commission held out
two alternatives for relief OF the
transportation situation. One was the
suspension Of antitrust laws and the
other government operation. Com
missioner McChord, in a supplementary
opinion. which has since been approved
ly other members. 1t is said. empha- :
tically urged government operation as
the only remedy.
RELIEVE IL ADVISABLE TO
NAME ADMINISTRATOR
Those within the government, who
believe the railroads themselves car
handle the situation if given free
rein. do not oppose legislation to make
full pooling compulsory. If such 4
course was pursued they admit IL
might be advisable to name a govern
ment railroad administrator. who would
see that the wishes of the governme me nj
were carried out
Beforc seeing the President to-day
senator Newlands held conference
with members of the Railroad War
Hoard, at which Mr.. Harrson's letter
was delivered to him. Later. Senator
Newlands gave out n statement, in
which he said:
THE Interstate Commerce Commits
sion and the Railway War Board, com
posed OF railway executives. differ as
TO tuc HcCcSSIts ol ieS SiSiatiol III oTuet
10 meet the urgent requirements OF tho
war. The commission insists that uni
ication of operation should be con.
Quoted either by the carriers or by the
PRESIDENT.
"The railroads, on the other hand
claim that there Is no necessity fol
legislation; that the uniflcation of the
railways. already arranged for under
the Railroad War Board. is proceeding
successfully, and will be further per.
4, fccted; that they do not ask for the
1repeal OF the antitrust and antipool-
ing laws as relating to them; that they
do not ask s1.ooo.0o0,oo0 from tho gov.
ornment or anybody clse.'