New-York tribune., 1917-12-11


1.th The suggestion Of the Interstate
Commerce Commission that antitrust
ard an.i-pooling laws might be sus-
pended during the war Others point
cd out that the Commerce Commits
,.ou's repor. also carried the sugses-
ton that additional legislation night
be needed were the government 10 de-
eide TO take over operation Of the
roads.
Roads May Be Taken over
The Presidents advisers are divided
.n their views as 20 what is neces-
sary 20 be done. Most Of them. how
ever, have come out for government
operation. and some of the strongest
supporters Of this proposal declare the
Executive already, under the army ap-
propristiou act, has power 20 take over
The roads for operation under an ad-
m'GistIator.
The position Of the railroads them
selves was set forth to-day in a letter
20 Senator Newlands from Fairfax
Harrison. chairman Of the Railroad
Board The railroads, Mr.. Harrison de-
c'sred, do not seek a repeal Of any leg
islato0. believing the cooperative use
Of facilities recently put into operation
win bring about maximum efficiency.
Neither do they seek a loan from the
government. he said, though govern
ment aid is asked in obtaining for them
On their own individual credit new cap
, ltal needed.
Further measures 20 make the roads
more efficient. Mr. Harrison suggested,
would be an increase IN rates, priority
Tor transportation Of new material, ap-
poiutmcut Of traffic manager for gov
eminent freight and exemption from
the draft for railroad employes.
Calls Pooling Essential
The railroads opposition 10 govern
meut operation Is well understood
among officials who have followed the
situation. but some surprise was eN-
pressed tonight at their objection 70
suspension OF provisions against pool
ing traffic and profits. In the opinion
Of many officials, complete coordina-
lion Of rail systems cannot be accom-
pNshed until the roads pool their traf-
&c, which Of itself involved pooling
Of profits.
The advantages in pooling have been
pointed 90 a. the chief argument Tor
government operation, since the gov
crumert directing the lines could pool
traffic without violating inhibitions i'm
posed now for the protection Of the
public.
On its special report 20 Congress,
made public = few days ago, the In
tcrstatc Commerce Commission held
out two alternatives for the relief OF
Tho transportation situation. One was
the suspension Of antitrust laws. and
tho other government operation. Com
missioner McChord, in a supple
mentary opinion, which, 1t has been
said since. is approved by other mem
bors. CmphatIcaly urged government
operation AS the only remedy.
Those within the government who
believe thc railroads themselves can
handle the situation II given free rein
ao not oppose legislation TO make a
ful pooling compulsory. II such a
course we're pursued, they admit II
m ght bc advisable TO name a govern
mcot railroad administrator. who
would sec that the wishes Of the gov
eramont were carried out.
Railroads Not Asking Help
Before seeing the President to-day
Senator Newlands held conference
with members Of the Railroad War
Board. az which MIR Iarrison's letter.
vas delivered 10 him. Later Senator
NcWiands gave out statement, m
which he said:
"1hc Interstate Commerce Commits
sion and the Railway War Board. com
posed Of railway executive. differ as
90 tho necessity OF legislation IN order
90 meet the urgent requirements Of
The war. The commission insists that
unifcation Of operation should be con
Quoted either by the carriers or by the
President.
"Thc railroads. on the other hand,
claim that there is no necessity for
leg station. that the unifcation Of tho
railways already arranged for under
the Railway War Board Is proceeding
successfully and will be- further per
fected. that they do not ask for the
repeal Of the antitrust and ant poor
ing laws as relating 20 thein and that
they DO not ask the ono billion dollars
from tho government or anybody else.
Mr.. Harrison's letter 70 Senator
NoWlsnds follows:
The American railroad system mas