Arizona republican., 1917-12-11
RAILWAY UNITY IS
 PLANNED
[EepublIcan A. p. Leased wlrel


 WASHINGTON, Dec. 10.-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 sICh a m3ve be- came known tonight. after he had gone over the whole transportation situa- ton with Senator Newlands, chairman of the senate interstate commerce commission. He probably will ask for the legislation fin an address to be de- lyered before the Christmas holidays. Indications tonight were that the president has confided 10 none of his associates his full intention. and off cals 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-p pooling laws be suspended during the war. Others pointed out that the commerce commissions re- port also carried the suggestion that adhtonal legislation might be needed, were the government to decide 10 take over operation of the roads.
 The presidents advisers are divided in their views as to what is necessity to be done. Most of them however, ton and some of the strongest opera ton and some the strongest sup porters of this proposal declare the executive already under the army ap- propriation act has power to take over the roads for operation under an ad mmistrator.
 The position of the railroads them selves was set forth today in a letter eo Senator Newlands from Fairfax Harrison, chairman of the railroad board.
 The railroads. Mir Harrison declared, do not seek a repeal of any legislation, believing the cooperative use Of fa- cilitics recently put into operation will bring about maximum efficiency. Nei- ther do they seek a loan from the gov srnment, he said though government aid is asked in obtaining for them on their own individual credit new capi- tai needed.
 Further measures to make the roads more efficient, M~. Harrison suggested. would he ami ncrc9sein rates. priority for transportation of new material. ap- pOintment of a traffic manager for government freight and exemption from draft for railroad employees.
 The railroads opposition to govern u.ent operation Is well understood among officials who have followed the
  blessed tonight at their objection Co provisions against pooling traffic and profits. In the opinion of many of ficials a complete coordination of rai systems cannot he accomplished until the roads pool their traffic which ol itself involves pooling of profits.
 The advantages in pooling have beer pointed 10 as the chief argument fol government operation, since the gov ernment directing the lines could poo traffic without violating inhibition' imposed now for the protection of th' public
 In its special report to congress mad public a few days ago the interstate commerce commission held out two alternatives for relief of the transpor tation situation. One was the suspen sion of antitrust laws and the othe government operation. Commissions McChord in a supplementary opinion which it has been said since is ap proved hy other members. emphaticali urged government operation as tn only measure.
 Those within the government wh believe the railroads themselves ca handle the situation if given free ref do not oppose legislation to make fdll pooling compulsory. If such course were pursued, they aumlL. might be advisable 10 name a govern ment railroad administrator who woul see that the wishes of the governmen were carried out.
 Before seeing the president toda, Senator Newlands held a conferenc with members of the railroad wa board at which Mir. Harrison's lette was delivered to him. Later Senate Newlands gave out a statement which he said
 "fhe interstate commerce commissiO and the railway war board. composed , railway executives 1iffer. as to tt necessity of legislation in order to m !,
 (Continued on Page TwO)