Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1918-12-05
Primary Aim Should Be To
Secure Systems Adequate
For Nation S Needs.
SHOULD PROVIDE FOR
MERGER in EMERGENCY
Three Plans VIII Doubtless Be
Proposed For HspOsing
Of Railroad.

Washington, dec. 5.--Congress to-
day was provided with views of the
interstate commerce commission as to
what problems must be considered in
deciding the future Of the railroad
lines.
In its annual report, the commission
sets forth in detail what II believes to
be certain lines Of inquiry which
must be persuaded to reach sound con
illusions, 4 It deals thoroughly with
both government control and private
Ownership with the varied FERNS OF
leach. The section of tho report setting
forth the commission 3 ideas follows:
Whatever line of policy Is deter
mined upon the fundamental aim
should be to secure transportation sys-
TENS that will be adequate for the ma
tion's needs even in time Of national
stress and that will furnish to the pub
lie safety, adequate and efficient trans
lportation at the lowest cost. To this
end there should be provision for the
Nprompt merger without friction Of all
the lines into continental and unified
system in time Of emergency; merger
within proper limits of the carriers
Hines and facilities in such part and to
Isuch extent as may be necessary to
meet the reasonable demands Of our do
Imessic and foreign commerce,~ linitar
Ition Of railway construction to the me-
cessities and convenience of the pub
lie and assuring construction to the
point Of these limitations; and devel-
opment and encouragement OF inland
waterways and coordination Of rail
and water transportation systems.
Probable Plans proposed
Among the plans which doubtless
win be proposed are the following:
"Continuance of the present plan of
federal control; public ownership OF
under regulation; private operation un-
under regulation; piyate opeation un-
der regulation with government egu-
lation aud public ownership.
g II the policy Of private ownership
and operation under regulation is con
Itinued the following subjects will re-
quire legislative consideration: resis-
ion Of limitations upon united or co
operative activities. emancipation Of
railway operation from financial die
Itation; regulation of issues Of securi-
ties; establishment of relationship
between federal and state authority
which viii eliminate the twilight zone
OF inrisdietion; restrictions governing
the treatment of competitive, as com
Irared with non-competitiye traffic; the
most efficient utilization Of equipment
and provision for distributing the bur-
den Of furnishing equipment on an
equitable basis among the respective
carriers; more liberal use Of terminal
facilities in the interest Of free move
ment Of commerce and limitations with
in which common carrier facilities and
services may be furnished by shippers
and receivers of freight.
Just Price Considered
fShould the policy Of public owner
ship and operation be adopted, there
l4nust be considered the Just and fair
price at which, and the terms under
Naich, carrier properties are TO be ac-
quired; prohibiting the operation of
railways as fiscal conlriyanee, In
suring their administration in the in
terests Of the convenience and the com
meree Of the people requiring that they
shal be self supporting and that their
rates shall be properly related to the
ascertaned cost and service and re-
taining and extending the economies
aud o1tapfaunc of loroo QcnIa f,rndue-