Evening journal., 1918-12-05
|. c. c. REPORTS ON
RAILROAD QUESTION
Suggests Form of Inquiry
if Sound Conclusions
Are to be Reached
WOULD GUARD
AGAINST POLITICS
BY the United Press.

WASHINGTON, Dec. 5.-Congress to-
day was provided with the views OF the
Interstate Commerce Commission as 20
what problems must be considered In
deciding the future OF the rail lines.
In its annual report the commission
sets forth In detail what II believes TO
be certain lines Of inquiry which must
be pursued to reach sound conclusions
Il deals thoroughly with both govern
ment control and private ownership
with the varied forms OF each. The
section OF the report setting forth the
commissions ideas follows:
"Whatever line Of policy is deter
mined upon the fundamental aim should
be 70 secure the systems that will be
adequate for the nations needs even
In time OF national stress, and that Will
furnish to the public safe. adequate
and SUFFICIENT transportation at the low
est cost. To this end there should be
provision for the prompt merger, with
out friction, OF all the lines into con-
tinental and unified system In time OF
emergency; mergee within proper limits
Of the carriers line and facilities In
such part and % such extent as may
be necessary 20 meet the reasonable
demands OF our domestic and foreign
commerce: limitation Of railway con-
strucllon 90 the necessities and con-
venience OF the public and assuring
construction 10 the point OF these limi-
tations: and development and encour-
agement Of inland waterways and CO.
ordination OF rall and water transporta-
ton systems.
among the plans which doubtless
will be proposed are the following:
Continuance Of The present plan OF
Federal control; public ownership OF
carrier property with private operation
under regulation with governmental
guarantees; resumption Of private con-
troll and management under regulations,
and public ownership.
III the policy Of private ownership
and operation under regulation Is con-
tlnued the following subjects viii re-
quire legislative consideration:
Revision OF limitations upon united
or cooperative activities. emancipation
OF railway operation from financial
regulation Of issues OF securi-
ties. establishment OF q relationship be-
tween Federal and state authority
which viii eliminate the twilight zone
OF Jurisdiction; restrictions governing
the treatment or competitive as COM
pared with non-c0mpetitiye traffic; the
most efficient utilization Of equipment
and provision for distributing the bur-
den Of furnishing equipment along an
equitable basis: and limitations within
which common carrier facilities and
services may be furnished by shippers
or receivers Of freight
should the policy OF public owner
ship and operation be adopted. there
must be considered. The Just and fair
price at which and the terms under
which carrier properties are 10 be ac-
quired: prohibiting the operation OF
railways as a fiscal cOntriYance. insur-
ing their administration IN the interests
OF the convenience and commerce Of
the people requiring That they shall be
ssf supporting and that their rates
shall be properly related 30 the ascer-I
tanned cost and service and retaining
and extending the economies and adj
vantages Of large scale production IN
responsibility and rela-
tionship OF the railway administration
to Congress and other Federal authori-
ties and 20 the State; guarding against
he intrusion OF party politics into rail-
way management; a status for railway
officers and employees under which the
railway service will attract and retain
The best t1lent; and maintenance Of
tribunal for the determination OF con-
.rOversies which VIII arise even under |
public operation"