The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1917-12-08

the railroads. either by government
operation or by suspension for the
war OF ,anu-tr.ast and anti-poorng
laws a federal loan and regulation of
security Issues TO permit more effec-
i've voluntary cooperation was rec
commended today by the Interstate
commerce commission I'm q special re-
port to congress
Neither plan was specifically in
dorsed but an implication that the
majority believed the railroads might
successfully work out their unifica .
tion prompted Commissioner McChord
10 submit separate report emphati
caliy urging government control and
saying Tho strong arm OF govern
meht authority is essential IL the
transportation situation is to be radl j..
caily improved"
Any voluntary pooling plan wou,d
raii 10 meet war exigencies. he de
clared. because OF the unavoidable in
huence OF selfshncss among the rail.
roads
fnere was no agreement as to the
proposition that competition amonr
railroads must be diminished. IL no.
altogether eliminated. to prevent n
serious breakdown OF transportatioo
facilities.
The commission believes that the
run efficiency OF the railroads ca,,
only be obtained by the elimination ~
competition and coordination of all
services.
h the alternative OF government
operations under the direction of the
president be adopted said the com.
mission suitable guaranty OF an ade-
auate annual return should be gives,
with provision by which the reads
could reimburse the government To-.
improvements after the properties arc
returned to private ownership.
The only hint OF the commissions
attitude toward the railroads pending
application for 10 per cent higher
rates was given In an assertion that
the roads are entitled to demand
just and reasonable rates sufficient to
yield fair returns and the comment
that although railway earnings i'm the
past year have broken all records. the
purchasing power OF the earnings Is
greatly decreased.
steps taken by the railroad war
board two weeks ago TO pool cars
operate roads somewhat as a unit by
loaning facilities TO one another were
recognized by commissioner McChord
In his supplementary report as valua-
BILE hut he maintained they were only
halfway measures. lie said the rail-
roads now are taking orders from too
many government agencies-the in.
terstate commerce commission, the
war industries boards priority dlrec.
tor and war and navy departments
the shipping board and the fuel and
food administrations. AS a result Of
the conflict OF orders and priority nc
said railroad operation is approach.
Ing chaotic condition"
III President Wilson does not eiec,
to take over and operate the railroads
Commissioner McChord declared. the
next best plan would he to enact leg
iSalion to centralize federal author
Hy over railroads IN a single agency.
The commissions report. the first
special report in years. came as a sur
prise to congress but II met an imme
di"te response in both the senate and
house. Senator Newlands. chairman
OF the special congressional raidroad
investigation commission and of the
senate Interstate commerce commit.
zee arranged conference with
President Wilson for next Monday 10
receive executive recommendations.
Chairman Adamson OF the house in
terstate commerce committee express.
ed opposition TO the suggestion of re
pealing the anti pooling provision OF
'ne sherman act. and advocated loan
ing money only TO weak roads. Rep |
sentative Sims. who will succeed
Representative Adamson on the com !
mittee advocated government opera !
ton. Representative Gillette actinr
Republican leader. sail ne favored al /
most any plan short OF government
control. big government loan To
railroads has been disc usscd among his 7
officials for some time. and President
wilson Is known to have given con-
sideration 20 such suggestions.
Authority to operate railroads was
given the president i'm the rollowiny