Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1917-12-13

Washington, Dec. 1o.-President
Wilson will go to Congress for special
legislation to bring about unification
of the railroads during the war.
The fact that the President has de-
cided definitely on such a move be-
came known tonight after he had
gone over the whole transportation
situation with Senator Newlands.
chairman Of the Senate interstate
commerce committee. He probably will
ask for the legislation in an address to
be delivered before the Christmas holi-
days.
Indications tonight were that the
President has confided to none of his
assistants his full intentions, and Of
ficials were doubtful as to just what
he may ask. Some were Of the opinion
that he might request action in line
| with the suggestion Of the Interstate
Commerce Commission that antitrust
and anti-pooling laws might be sus-
pended during the war. Others point
ed out that the commerce commissions
| report also carried the suggestion
that additional legislation might be
! needed were the government to decide
to take over operation of the roads.
RAILROADS POSITION.
The position of the railroads them
selves was set forth to-day In letter
to Senator Newlands from Fairfax Harri-
son, chairman Of the railroad board. The
| PRESIDENTS ADVISERS DIVIDED.
The Presidents advisers are divided in
their views as to what Is necessary to
be done. Most Of them. however, have
come out for government operation ana
some of the strongest supporters OF this
proposal declare the executive already,
under the army appropriation act mas
power to take over the roads for opera
ton under an administrator.
railroads. Mr. Harrison declared. do not
seek a repeal Of any legislation. believ-
| ing the cooperative use OF facilities re-
| Gently put into operation will bring about
maximum efficiency. Neither do they
seek loan from the government he
said. though government aid is asked In
obtaining for them on their own individ-
ual credit new capital needed.
Further measures to make the roads
more efficient, Mr.. Harrison suggested.
would be an increase In rates, priority
l for transportation Of new material, APP
pointment Of a traffic manager for gov
eminent freight and exemption from the
draft for railroad employees.
NO POOLING WANTED.
The railroads opposition to government
operation is we'll understood among off,
Gals who have followed the situation,
but some surprise was expressed tonight
at their objection to suspension OF pro-
visions against pooling trafiic and profits
In the opinion Of many officials CON-
plete coordination Of rail systems can
not be accomplished until the roads pool
their traffic, which Of itself involves a
pooling Of profits.
The advantages in pooling have been
pointed to as the chief argument for gov
eminent operation, since the government
directing the lines could pool traffic with
out violating inhibitions imposed now fol
the protection Of the public.
In its special report to Congress. made
public a few days ago. the interstate
commerce commission held out two alter
natives for the relief of the Transports
ton situation. One was the suspension
. of antitrust laws and the other govern
! ment operation. Commissioner McChort
} in a supplementary opinion which 1t hal
! been said since is approved by othe
members emphatically urged government
operation as the only remedy.
, Those within the government who be
> lieve the railroads themselves can handl
the situation II given free rein do not op
, pose legislation to make full poolinl
compulsory. II such a course were pur
4 sued, they admit, 1t might be advisable
' to name a government railroad admins
Q traitor who would see that the wishes o
Q the government were carried out.
SENATOR NEWLANDS' STATEMENT
q Before seeing the President to-day Sen
ator Newlands held q conference wit
members of the railroad war board q
, which Mr. Harrison's letter was delivere