Tulsa daily world. [volume] (Tulsa, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1905-1919, 1917-12-11
WILSON WILL ASK
RAIL LEGISLATION
Special Message to Be Read
to Congress Before
Christmas.
PROBABLE PLAN NOT KNOWN
Roads Want Exemption for
Employees and Help in
Securing Loans.
PROBABLE PLAN NOT KNOWN

WASHINGTON. Dec. 1O.-Presi-
dent Wilson will go to congress for
special legislation to bring about uni
fication of the railroads during the
war.
The fact that the president has de-
cided definitely on such a move be-
came known tonight after he had
gone over the whole transportation
situation with Senator Newlands
chairman of the senate interstate
will ask for the legislation in an ad-
dress to be delivered before the
Christmas holidays.
Indications tonight were that the
president has confided to none of his
associates his full intention, and off
cials 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 antipooling laws might be sus-
pended during the war. Others point
ed out that the commerce commits
sion's report also carried the sugges-
tion that legislation might be needed
were the government to decide to
take over operation of the roads.
Advisers Divided.
The presidents advisers are divided
in their views as to what Is necessary
to be done. Most of them. however,
have come out for government opera
tion and some of the strongest sup
porters of this proposal declare the
executive already under the army ap-
preparation act has the power to take
over the roads for operation under an
administrator
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, Mr.. Harrison
declared. do not seek repeal of any
legislation. believing the cooperative
use Of facilities recently put into OPP
-eration will bring about maximum
efficiency. Neither do they seek a
tho government aid Is asked in OBJ
tanning for them on their own In
dividual credit new capital needed.
Want Exemption for Employees.
Further measures to make the
roads more efficient, Mr.. Harrison
suggested would be an increase in
rates, priority for transportation of
new material, appointment OF a traf-
fic manager for government freight
and exemption from the draft for
railroad employees.
The railroads opposition to gov
ernment operation is we'll under
stood among officials who have fol-
lowed the situation. but some sur
prise was expressed tonight at their
objection to suspension of provisions
against pooling traffic and profits. In
the opinion of many officials a COM
plete coordination of rail systems
cannot be accomplished until the
roads pool their traffic, which of it
self involves pooling of profits.
The advantages in pooling have
been pointed to as the chief argu-
ment for government operation. since
the government directing the lines
could pool traffic without violating
prohibitions imposed now for the
protection of the public.
In its special report to congress
made public a few days ago. the in
terstate commerce commission held
out two alternatives for relief of the
transportation situation. One was the
suspension of antitrust laws and the
other government operation.
Commissioner McChord in a sup
Elementary opinion, which, 1t has
been said since. is approved by other
members. emphatically urged govern
ment operation as the only remedy.