Norwich bulletin., 1917-12-11

over the. whole .fransp6rtatiST2, .sitfa== tion with Senator Newlands, chairman committee. He probably will ask for the legislation in an address to be de- tltrered before the Christmas holidays: indications tonight were that. the president has cnnfided to none of his associates his full intentions. and off afs were doubtful 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 connmission that antitrust ! and anti pooling laws might be sus- pended during the war. Others pointed out that the cominerce commissions report also carried the suggestion that additional legislation might he needed were the government to decide to take over operation of the roads.
 Some Favor Government Operation. The presidents advisors are divided in their views as to what is necessary . have come out for government opera ton and some of the strongest sup pnfrers of this proposal declare the executive already under the army ap pfopria ton act has power to take over the roads for operation under an ad- fnfIlistra tor.
 The position of the railroads them selves was set forth today in letter to Senator Newlands from Fairfax Harrison chairman of the railroad board. The railroads, MT. Harrison declared do not seek a repeal of any legisfa Uon. believing the cooperative use of facilities recently put into op erarion will bring about maxipium eff dciency;- Neither do they seek a loan government aid is asked in obtaining for them on their own individual cred it new capital needed.
 Efficiency Measures.
 Further measures to make the roads
 more efficient, Mir. Harrison suggested, would be an increase in rates, IGlority for transportation of new material, ap- pointment of a. traffic manager for government freight and exemption from the draft for railroad employees. . The railroads opposition to govern n.ent operation is we'll understood among officials who have followed the situation. but some surprise was eX- pressed tonight at their objection to suspension of provisions aga alSt pool ing traffic and profits. In the opinion ton of rail systems cannot be accom- pfished until the roads pool their traf- 1ic, which. of itself. involves a pooling of profits.
 Advantages of Pooling. The advantages in pooling have been pointed to as the chief argunlent~f for government operation. since the gov ernment directing the lines could pool traffic without violating inhibitions inn posed now for the protection of the public.
 In it's special report to congress made public a few days ago, the inter state commerce commission held out two alternatives for the relief of the transportation situation. One was the suspension of antitrust laws and the other, government operation; Comrnis- sioner McChord. in a supplementary opinion. which, it had been said since, had been approved by other members, -eInpharicaily urged government oper- ation as the only remedy.
 Railroads Want Free Reins
 Those within the government ,swho believe the railroads themselves can handle the sftaation, if given free a full pooling compulsory If such a course were pursued. they admits it might be advisable to name govern ment railroad administrator who would see that the wishes of the government were carried out.
 Before seeing the. president today. Senator Newfands held a conferenre viii, members of the railroad war board at. which MT. Harrison g. letter was delivered to him. Later Senator Newlands gave out a statement in which he said:
 The interstate commerce comrnfs~ sion and the railway war board, com posed of railway executives, differ as . to the necessity of Legislation in order to meet the urgent requirements of the war. Tie. cofnmission insists. tha It unifcation of operation should be cop ducted either by the carriers or by the president.
 '.The railroads, on the other hand, claim that there is no necessity for iegisIation; that the unification of the railways. already arranged for under the railroad war board is proceeding successfully and will be further per fected: that they do not ask for the : repeal of the antitrust and anti pool ing laws as relating to them;. that they do not ask the one billion dollars from the government, or anybody else"