Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-10-17
RAILWAY COMMISSIONERS
STUDY BEST WAYS TO AID
Spirit OF Patriotism Pervades Nm.
tional Association-Many States
Arc Represented.
PUBLIC CONTROL PREDICTED
Commissioner Says National Govern
ment Will Keep Constant Eye on
Railways in Futurc-Advocatc ALI
Steel Trains During Period Of War.

WASHINGTON. October 1G.--How to
help the United states win the war was
the subject the National Association Of
Railway Commissioners discussed to-
| day. The spirit Of patriotism ran en-
tirely through the meeting which con-
sumed the first day OF the annual con-
vention. Thirty-one States were rep
resented
Henry G. Hall. OF the Interstate Com
| MERGE Commission. sounded the note of
the convention when he said to the
rnissioncrs:
I'VE can't all go across the seas to
fight. Some Of us arc too old. and some
OF us are disabled. and there are other
reasons with many OF us. But the fight
ing line will be OF little avail unless
wc who are behind the line. do our
part. We must not be met in the dayG
OF the future with the reproach that
we did not do our part
I'VE face common foe Everything
sinks into insignincance compared with
winning the war. We must do all we
can 10 keep the arteries OF commerce
open"
I;y no means are the railroads of
this country beyond the possibility Of
being seized by the government. Mr..
Hall said. He declared that thus far
the successful cooperation between
the roads and the government had
ment TO take over the railroads as it
had done the ships
Max Thelan. of California. the asso-
cations president, begged the State
commissions to show cooperation with
the railroads and public service cor
poration In order that their operating
facilities might be increased. and
their war service thus bcttcred.
Many committee reports were made
during the day. Edwin G. Egcrton.
OF California. reported for the special
committee on government ownership:
TREND OF TIMES POINT
r0 GOVERNMENT OWNERSHIP
The trend Of our times is in the di-
rection of complete public control.
ownership and operation of public
utilities. The committee recommends
that special permanent commission
be appointed to represent the associa
ton in case the government takes any
important action before 1918.
1T has always been urged by OPP
poncnts OF government ownership in
the United States and Canada that mil
i'arE considerations are no factors in
railroad operations in the United
States This was perhaps true prior TO
April G, 1917, but IT Is true no longer.
In tho future the national government
VIII keep constantly In mind the rail-
roads place as an all-important instru-
mcnt for the country's defense. This
is great reason why the movement
toward complete national control will
continue"
Recommendations were made by
Charles r. McChord, interstate COM
merce commissioners. tIat all tracks
and equipment be inspected by the
commissions, that the block system he
made compulsory, and that uniform
operating rules be adopted. Grade
crossings and n federal trcspass law
were also advised. 1t was recon =
lnendcd that extra fare trains be cut off
during the war, and that all-steel cars
be invariably substituted :o.. wooden
ones.
The report by the committee on cap
itaization and incorporate relations
recommended public control OF utility
company securities ami federal control
or securities put out by inter state
concerns.