Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1917-12-06
Mr.. Wilson Confers With
Chairman Hall of Commits.
sicn and May Act.
ADDRESS TO CONGRESS
NOT THOUGHT UNLIKELY
Railroad Men in Washington Less
Fearful of Recommendations
Than Might Be Expected.

President Wilson today took up the
Interstate Commerce Commissions rec
concentrations for government operation
of railroads in the event that Congress
does not act to permit their practical
unifcation for the war emergency.
At a conference with Chairman Hall
of the commission the President went
over the recommendations in detail,
with the possibility that he might also
make some recommendations to Con-
gress on the subject.
1t is not improbable that the Presi-
dent might decide to address Congress
on the subject at a special occasion. It
was said at the White House today, how
ever, that the President has not decided
in what way he would take up the sub.
ject.
View of Railroad Men Here.
Railroad men now in Washington
seemed less fearful today about the
recommendations OF the Interstate Cons
merce Commission regarding the WAR
time operation OF railroads than miRhe
be expected.
Members Of the railroads war board
this morning were considering whether
they should issue any formal states
ment in regard to the report. In tho
meantime speaking Informally, rep
resentatives of the board pointed out
that many points in the report are In
line with the urgent suggestions made
n - hao ~ t.xy Sall llwrfA -
railroad executives themselves.
Only in the minority report Of Conn
missioner McChord do the railroads.
find a recommendation with which
having the government operate or di-
|rectiy centrol ~ the railroad 'systenns
From the railroad point Of view
roads would lessen, rather than in-
crease, the present eficiency OF rail-
road operation, generally admitted to
be at the highest point ever reached
Favor Some Suggestions.
Legislation which would permit
pooling of railroad operation and reve-
nues. which would abrogate for the
time being the antitrust laws. and
which would permit the government to
arc touched upon In the majority re-
port Of the commission. find hearty
response among the railroad men them-
selves
Many railroad men do not even de-
muir greatly to the suggestion that q
railroad administrator be appointed. In
anticipation OF this move, 1t was point
ed out. the railroads war board itself.
volunteer central agency of the rail-
ways. named committee of operating
vice presidents, now established In
Pittsburgh. which is empowered to per-
form substantially those functions
which would be delegated to a federal
administrator.
admitted. to the full effectiveness OF
this volunteer administration of the
eastern railroads as a unit when car
ried on as a voluntary measure. One
is the fact that the administrative body
has no authority above that delegated
by the railroads themselves, and, there.
fore. the roads retain the right to disc
regard its orders il they wish. So far,
it is claimed, this objection is purely
academic. since both the war board and
the special committee have had the
thorough cooperation and acqui.
escence OF each eastern railroad in any
undertaken.
Decreased Revenues Considered.
The other objection is that an un.
as a unit might bring up the question
of decreased revenues of one or more
roads, by the diversion Of certain
classes Of paying business to compet-
ing lines. 1t also is stated that SO far
this condition has not been Encountered.
The policy the new committee has
adopted, it was explained. is that OF
shipping freight by the route which is
least congested, and Of taking away
yn uyhn 4LaE
road cannot handle them. When this
is DONE it is pointed out, the road which
loses the business already is doing all
il can with its facilities, hence there
would seem to be no danger Of robbinR
it of reasonable revenues.
So far, it should be remembered all
the railroads war board has attempted
is the operation OF the eastern roads as
,ago Even in this eastern territory
the actual unification is limited. There
is a large southern territory covered by
the Southern railway alone, and all of
New England. SO far as steam roads are
concerned, is the exclusive territory of
The New York, New Haven and Hart.
lord. Therefore the present effort ae
and the Baltimore and
Dhio railroads. To a lesser degree il
also concerns number of smaller lines,
If these two lines through the great
Industrial and manufacturing belt ex-
ending from the seaboard to Chicago.
Railroad men admit that IL the unffi-
alton were extended all over the coun-
ry the question of a drastic reallot-
nent of revenues which might result
n the impairment of the securities of
ome of the railroads would loom IN
IS a possible result. Nothing short OF
backing for the roads, and
ederaI guarantees of the ultimate
estoration Of the business of these
ines. has been found which would resss-
dy this condition.
Might Even Affect Mem. --
Government operation would sofvo
his problem. Of course. but in govern
nent operation the railroad men pro-
ess to see q prospective slump i'm ef-
cheney, which. they believe, would be
ntailed by the loss Of many trained
perating men men wno w0r,o De unwlinng ~
Ian Whether such q detection would