The Washington herald., 1917-12-11
Date Not Determined.

DatC NOL DCNcEAAhCus
No date has been set yet for the
Presidents appearance in Congress or
as to the day on which he will send
his special message.
The railroads. through Senator
Newlands. told the President yester-
day that they could adjust their prop
critics to the war needs of the gov
eminent if they could get the rate
increases now pending before the In
terstate Commerce Commission. The
roads, Senator NewIands said in a
statement issued last night, were
not asking for a loan Of 81, 900, coo, 900,
nor for a repeal of the anti-poolins
laws.
Following his call upon the Presi-
deit Senator Newlands refused to say
, a word about what had actually
taken place. But he issued a state
ment outlining the general situation
from the STANDPOINT both of the rail-
roads and the Interstate Commerce
Commission.
Harrison Gives ROards' Side.
Appended was an important letter
from Fairfax Harrison, chairman of
the executive committee of the Rail-
road War Board. which explained
fully what the railroads desire. Mr..
Harrison wrote:
Some misconception seems to exist
as to the immediate requirements of
the railroads in their present situa-
tioI. Their chief operating troubles
Is volume of traflc greater than
tho capacity OF the plants in certain
limited territories. aggravated by ex-
Paz1iN-p -
their now serious malady of 'dilu-
ton of labor. which is general
throughout the country and common
TO all industry"
The railroads. he said. do not ask
1900. 10000 from the government or
anybody else at the moment.
What Railroads Ask.
What the railroads do ask. he
said. is:
The immediate appointment of
a traffic officer to represent all
important government departments
in transportation matters, with
whom the railroads can deal, to
secure active government cooper
alton. the prompt and orderly
transportation of the government
traffic. and avoid the excessive
use of preference orders. which
congest traffic instead of facili-
tating it.
Most of the railroads need
more locomotives Immediately and
enough new cars to replace those
worn out. There are approx
mately $500 locomotives and 80, 900
ears still on order undelivered for
American railroads. The railroads
expect to provide the capital
Priority orders are essential for
prompt delivery of such equipment
Approximately 1000 locomo-
tives and 10000 cars. in addition
to those now on order, are neces-
sary for early construction to meet
the requirements of next year.
This is no more than the railroads
usually require every year and at
present prices represent a cost Of
approximately $5OO.O00. .0OO."
Want Men Drafted.
The roads further need" he said,
"the immediate increases in rates as
defined by the Interstate Commerce
Commission special report to meet
Increasing operating expenses and to
strengthen credit are necessary in the
Eastern territory. and which may be-
come necessary in other territories.
Railroad men drafted to be ell
rolled and assigned to railrcad serv-
Ice until actually needed for military
service"
Rough shedding will confront any
railroad legislation in Congress that
carries a loan Of a S1.0OO.ooJ 90 for the
railroad companies.
Members OF the House Committee
pn Interstate and Foreign Commerce
ast night made 1t clear that they op-
posed the idea.