Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1917-12-07
WASHINGTON. Dec. Z.

WASHlNGTON, Dec. T.
Government operations OF railroads
hung In the balance today. on tho Ex-
ecutive In the white House depended
whether tho Government should lend the
railroad companies 81 900, 100000 or put
the roads under Federal dictator" to
end the war freight jam.
Some Congressman looked for Presi-
dent Wilson to seize control OF the rail-
roads before Christmas. They predicted
that legislation for unlflcatiou of the
lines would mean long delay, Tho
President. on the other hand desires i'm
mediate relief from railroad congestion
Under authority he already possesses
he could place every mile of track under
Federal control by a pens stroke.
However, the four railrold brother
hoods are united with railway executives
against Government control President
Wilson Is understood TO have been told
this when the labor leaders saw him
recently regarding their wage demands.
The brotherhoods favor fin incial and
legislative aid to the carriers TO enable
them to unity their operations as sug-
gested by the Interstate Commerce Com
mission. under direction of u war board.
The railroad executives today were
preparing estimates of the amount
needed for 1918 to place the lines on a
war efficiency basis. These estimates
are to be submitted to Senator New
lands for presentation by him to the
| President on Monday. The President Is
shortly atterward expected TO make
known his views. possibly in special
message to Congress.
Legislators said they would follow the
Presidents recommendation. one Sena-
tor, a labor sponsor. even said he would
vote for an anti-strike bill II the Presi.
dent wished II, although IN the Sena.
tors opinion such legislation might
preciptate labor revolution"
Acting Chairman Sims, of the Hous,
Interstate Commerce Committee, favors
! Immediate action by the President tc
seize the railroads.
"Then he could come TO Congress 70,
supplemental legislation to guaranteed
railroad securities or whatever measures
advisable" said Sims. "It would take
six months to enact ,ne Interstate Com
merce Commissions recommendation,
for unification under the railroads owr
control Government loans would h,
fraught with proposals and counter
proposals."
One of the leaders of the railwa,
organization. in discussing the situation
with Senators who are members of tn,
interstate commerce committees, anc
who will have to pass the Legislation
to meet the railway crisis outlined hi
position In memorandum AS follows
Railway employees wages today ar
far below the figure that everyda,
laborers are receiving in certain lorali
ties. despite the fact that railway mel
must be especially trained and OF
high order of intelligence. The brother
hoods have asked for increased wage
so that their membership can get suf
ficient money to live on. II already 4
plain that the railroads will refuse {,
meet the demands of the men. Now
cf the Government takes ever the road
u will be as a war measure. II alrcad,
is almost certain that they will b,
operated along military lines. In fact
army officials have intimated that tn.
engineering brances of the army will b,
given Mt least a general oversight owe
the operations of the roads.
Tn addition 1t is certain that Presi
dent Wilson never has completely aban
doned the suggestion that he made a
the time we were negotiating for tn,
last wage advance-that the roads ough
to be considered part of the militar,
system and the men denied the right [,
abandon their employment at will"