Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1917-12-31
OPPOSITION TO RAIL PLANS.
Objection Made to Three Year Per'oo
az Basis Of Compensation. !.

Objection Made to Three Year rer'oa
az Basis Of Compensation. !.
Washington, Dec. 31.-Congress VIII
support the president in government
operation Of the railroads. but there
will be determined opposition IN ooth
houses to the presidents proposal 70
base compensation on the average earn
ings for the three years prior to June
30, 1917 the big war years.
That the presidents action IN TAX
ing over the roads in the absence OF
congress and w,ahout consulting Inc
legislative branch was a great sur
prise to majority Of members OF DEC
houses was clearly indicator today.
Members in Washington, however, TOT
the most part believe there will De
little question raised regarding his au-
thority to take over the roads.
Criticism was voiced over the selec-
Etion of Secretary OF the Treasury W.
q. McAdoo to control the railroads.
Representative f. II. Gillette OF Mas
sachusetts, acting minority leader SAID
the appointment should have been
business and not a political selectloh.
In an open statement Representative
'Gillett referred to Secretary McAdoo
az the Pooh Bah Of the administration
and expressed regret that the appoint
ment had not been a less partisan one.
Members Of congress who have op-
posed increased freight rates insist that
it Is unfair to pay the railroads on the
basis Of earnings Of the average TOT
three war years for the reason that
these wears have been the best the
railroads ever had.
."I fear the plan will give the al
vantage to the larges and stronger rail-
way systems and cause distress to the
weaker and smaller ones" Senator A.
B. Cummins, ranking member OF the
interstate commerce committee, said'
Therefore, expect to see the plan Ia
vored by the greater systems and OBJ
jected to by the smaller ones. The
weaker roads may resort to the courts
In fact, the question OF compensation
may be settled by the courts and not
by congress, and in my opinion the
railroads can be taken over only by the
courts"
Criticising the selection Of Secre-
tary McAdoo, Congressman Gillett
said:
II deeply regret the appointment OF
MIR. McAdoo, as controller of the rail-
roads of the country. He is now the
secretary Of the treasury, chairman OF
the federal reserve bank system, chair
man OF the federal farm loan board
and chairman Of the international high
commission. i think these places give
ample scope to his abilities. In addi-
ton, he is recognized as the great dis
penser Of patronage and the political
adviser of the president. He Is al
ready the Pooh Bah Of this admins
tration.
"since the loss Of the Lusitania !
nave carefully repressed all criticism
OF the administration. 1t has required
At times much selfrestraint. have
loyalty supported the president In the
house and at sone>critical times when
many or mis- own Ts.I - desc .s:Sss:!es. =h..n
I intend to continue that support. But
Il think 1t proper to express my regret
that this great appointment has no,
been given to one whose experience
and impartiality would inspire more
confidence"
Representative T. w. Sims OF Ten
nessee, chairman OF the interstate end
foreign commerce committee, which
has to deal with the railroad problems
[thoroly approved the presidents
course. and said that early ccns:dera-
ton Of his recommendation to cons
gress would be given in the house.
"The president took the only LOGICAL
step. 'Ssaid CONGRESSMAN Gins VIII:
the neople doubted the aS.l.ty 81 the