The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-12-05
Program for New Rail Legis-
1atiOn Ready for Congress.
Would Rent Cars Owned by
iGOv't. TO Various Lines.
TRANSPORTATION, WAR ISSUE
Lie of War Prosecution De-
ponds Mainly on Railroads.
/. 6. C. for Suspension of Anti
Trust Laws to Prevent Pool.

washington. Dec. Several billion
iosfHrs of government funds for rail-
-oad eapipments to be rented to the
ALTERS is embraced in a comprehen-
,iV@ program of railroad legislation
-essiy for presentation to congress
se-ator Newlands, Nevada, chairman
5flfhc Joint congressional commission
n 9estigating railway conditions, VIII
setiz President Wilson's approval of
thf proposed measures.
Dne bill would prohibit railroad
stfikes during the war. Other meas
mes are in preparation, but their ma
iuae is withheld, until they have been
q fussed with the president.
4 1.-THE successful prosecution of this
w depends more upon transpor-
anon than any one other thing" said
'Sa1ator Newlands today. I'VE have
1d3 hesitated to appropriate enormous
Iiur1s for increasing our shipping IA
l.Elilies and we should not hesitate to
BEND all that is necessary son our
''a& roads
gewlands pointed out that the gov
arEment by absorbing available CAPT
Az for war needs, is preventing the
,oHroads getting the money they need.
4he senate judiciary committee to-
n grow will take up the Overman res
E5iation proposing suspension of that
|5a4t of the Clayton law which re-
|lI9red railroads to buy supplies by
IeoHnpetitive bidding.
EPrices are so enormous" said Sen
10 Overman, that this provision of
Ii Clayton law works injury rather
han good"
IL c. C. Makes Recommendations.
Washington. Dec. 5.-Congress was
Oh in report by the interstate
I,dInmerce commission today that to
fffct the unification of railroad re-
os1rces for the war antitrust and
ri pooling laws should be suspended.
4n addition the commission de-
lared railroads should receive gov
rfInent loan and that issuance of
abroad securities should be vested in
\ olhe special body.
Home advance in rates is imperative,
Ia commission said in the war emer-
q cy.
& Help for r. RS Imperative.
Hfter reviewing the extraordins ry
dfnand on the railroads during the
ait year and the increases in labor
10 material costs, the commissions
pNcial report says;
HThe act to regulate commerce was
fIdt enacted to meet such situation.
M carriers have the right to de-
nAnd at our hands and it is our duty
-o7hpprOve, just and reasonable rates
f Id value of the property devoted to
ttblic use after necessary expendi-
Fufes. Measured in dollars the gross
efenues of the carriers during the
aHt and current fiscal years exceed
. dlany in their history. But what the
d dflar will buy in labor, material and
uhplic5 is substantially less.
1--WE are sensible of the vital and
uiperative need of the hour that our
al roads shall not be permitted to
s Some less efficient or less suffice
s. We realize the gravity of a seri-
- breakdown in our transportation
arilities. 1t is unthinkable that this
ifFakdown would be permitted if it
o0ld be prevented. Increased charges
#oT carriage, if found necessary to take
al.e of unavoidable increases in OPP
rsfing expenses would not at this
lnie bring new capital on reasonable
erms in important sums.
Situation Demands Action.
I'm our opinion the situation does
q permit of temporizing. All ener-
iEs must be devoted to bringing the
Tar to a successful conclusion and to
1-It end it is necessary that our trans
Battalion system be placed and KEEP
the plane of highest efficiency
Is can only be secured through uni
ton of their operation during the
dEiod of the war.
Eff the unification is to be effected
the carriers they should be enabled
9Eeffeet in lawful way. To that enc
lEour judgment the operation of the
Isei-trust laws except in respect OF
d1solidations or mergers of parable
70 competing lines, as applied to raj
10 water carriers subject to the act
o%regulate commerce and of the anti
dEling provision of section five OF
h|tt act, should be suspended during
1e period of the war and until fur
her action bV congress-
Sin addition they should be provid
a. from the government treasury
Nh financial assistance in the form
loans or advances for capital pur,
les in such amounts. on such con.