New-York tribune., 1918-12-05
Rail Executives
Demand Return of
Roads to Owners
Say Private Control Under
Reasonable Regulation Is
the Best Solution of the
Railroad Prob | e m

Railroad Prob | e m
Asserting that government owner
ship Of the transportation machine is
not conducive to the highest economic
of the country, corporate
heads Of railroads, representing over so
per cent Of the nations total mlleaga,
after an all-day session in the rooms
of the Chamber of Commerce yester-
returning the carriers TO their owners
under a system of reasonable, respon-
sible and adequate government regula-
ton"
The majority sentiment of the meet
ing, which was held under the auspices
of the railway executives advisory com
mittee, took the form of resolutions
which said:
!. That private initiative, enterprise and
responsibility in the creation, extension,
improvement and operation of the Ameri-
railways should, as a matter of ma
tional policy, be fostcred and preserved,
and that government ownership and op-
peration of these facilities is not con-
ducive to the highest economic efficiency
of the country.
2. That the principle of reasonable,
sponsiblc and adequate governmental regu
lation Of these facilities is recognized and
accepted, but such regulation should pro-
vide for announcement, protection and
upbuilding of the railways we'll as for
the correction and check of any abuses.
g. That in view of the termination of
the war emergency, which caused the talk
ing over of the railroads and their opera
ton by the Federal government, the re-
naming period of Federal control should
be characterized by policy of restoration
of the integrity of individual properties
and of preparation for their return to
their respective owners in the highest pos
sible state of efficiency to serve the
country.
4. That a system of governmental regu-
lation or control. to be applicable when
the properties arc returned, should be
provided by Congress, which. while safe
guarding the public. will provide uniform
ity of regulation in essential matters, IN
sure a business treatment of the vast IN
terests involved, attract adequate capital
and assure the commercial manufacturing
and agricultural interests of the country
of TRANSPORTATION facilities, which shall
keep pace with their growing necessities
and deal equitably with questions affecting
wages and working conditions of re'lroad
employees.
s. That the standing committee with the
advice and assistance of the law committee,
be requested to consider and report back to
an adjourned meeting of member roads
proposals to accomplish the foregoing re-
suits and plans and methods to be favored
in connection with the return of the rail-
road properties to their respective owners.
6. That in their consideration of the
subject the committee invite the coopera-
ton and assistance of advisers fairly rep
resentative of the best and soundest
! thought and experience Of the country.
Tlot hp o. tn the Dj-
rector General of Railroads and his as
sociates of our earnest desire to cooperate
with them in the performance of their i'm
portant and difficult trust and in the
adoption of plans for the return of these
: properties to private management ano
operation which plans shall be just alike to
the public, to the owners of the properties
and to the employees engaged thereon.
TO work out the plans and legisla
tion required by these resolutions wi
r. De Witt Cuyler. chairman of tn
railway executive advisory commit
tee. who also acted as chairman of yes
terday's meeting. "There will, c
course, be future meetings like the
of to-day At this time. however,
is impossible to announce the date {
the next meeting"
Welcome Adequate Regulation
In a statement outlining the gener
purposes of the gathering of railroa
men he said it was called to discus
the problems growing out of the reat
iustment of the roads to a peace basi
There was frank exchange Of view
he added. on the measures which wou
have to be taken by the companies ar
the government to meet the presel
problems and to provide for the futul
development of the different system
Erb Dissents
The only dissenting opinion to t
resolutions adopted was expressed
Newman Erb, pres dent of the Ann A
Dor Railroad who declared that he pr
,ferred that his properties be tak'
over permanently by the governme
!, unless they were returned in as go
condition as before the United Stat
entered the war.
. The personnel of the committt
which has committed itself to prcpa
plan providing for the return of t
carriers to private ownership and 0
Grafton, is the same as the prcse
, railway executives advisory comm
tee. whose membership has been c
largcd to include Charles Hayden.
the Chicago. Rock Island G. Paci
; Railroad; S. NJ. FELTON,. president of t
nlCHRO, NrcQt western, w lllIc
) Church Osborn, general counsel +
= the FL Paso & Southwestern and t
Texas Pacific; Henry Ruhlender, cna
7 man Of the St. Louis e. San Francisc
r L. E. Johnson, president of the Norfc
& Western; f. E. Loomis. preside
. Of the Lehigh Valley; W. r. Cole, pre-
ident of the Nashville, Chattanoo
& st. Louis, and Bird NJ. Robinst
president Of the American Short Ii
Association. 1t was stated that the q
: pointment of Mr.. Robinson signti
that there would be cooperation |
tween the short line railroads and t
{ trunk linea in the efforts to devise
plan for the return to private own,
ship.
a In summing up the accomplishment
!, Of the Railway Executives Advise
Committee in its negotiations wi
the Railroad Administration ov
:. questions relating to proper allowanc
for purchase of new equipment und
war conditions, depreciation of c
| equipment bought before the war,
tirement of equipment and saliva
: items, A. p. Thorn, counsel for t
committee, stated that the roads h
been allowed approximately SITS 600. 0
. in the way of concessions. Mr.. Tho
. said that he expected the majority
0 government contracts woull be sign
= by the time William G. McAdoo h
/ relinquished his duties as Direct
General of Railroads