The Washington herald., 1918-01-05
Sims Bill Asks for In
definite Control Of
All Lines.
NEW LAW NECESSARY
TO RESTORE ROADS
Resolution Also Authorizes
Expenditure Of $780, ,0OO,-
600 by Government.

600 by Government.
The American railroads are not
to be turned back to their private
owners until Congress DEGREES, un-
der the terms of the administra-
ions railroad bill. introduced yes
terday.
The measure. introduced in the
House of Representatives, immedi-
ately upon the conclusion of the
Presidents special address to Con-
sress, carries behind it the full
weight and influence Of the Chief
Executive.
Indefinite Control Asked
Section IL of the measure reads:
The Federal control of transporta-
tion systems herein and heretofore
provided for shall continue for and
during the period of the war and until
Congress shall thereafter order other
wise
The bill was introduced by Chair
man Thetus Sims, of the House Inter
state Commerce Committee, who will
handle the legislation in the Lower
Branch The measure is OnderEtcCd
TO have been prepared after consulta-
ton with Director General McAdoo.
IL carries with il guarantees that
the government will compensate the
private owners on the basis Of the
net railway operating income" for
the three years ending June 90, 1911;
stipulates that the government shall
maintain the roads in as goo1 condi-
ton as they have been in under pri-
vate control; and authodizes the use
OF government funds up to S0o.o00, 600.
Prompt action will be taken by
Congress in the passage OF the meas
ure, though there are objections to
the bill from the more radical ele-
ments. Among these the contention
is that the rate of compensation is
too liberal There is a growth also OF
the demand for outright government
ownership. For this Senator Hiram
johnson. of California, fatty declared
Yesterday He held that the state Of
affairs which made necessary govern
nnent operation of the roads proved
the inability of the private managers
to meet an emergency.
May Seize Terminals.
A full attendance Of both the House
and Senate and well-filled galleries
heard the Presidents speech. While
there was lacking that fervor that
attended the reading of his epoehal
kvar messages against Germany and
Austria, his address was closely fol-
owed and literally applauded.
4 While the President was before Con-
kress Director General McAdoo, at
he other end Of the city, was wrest-
ing with the gigantic task of running
The roads and issuing drastic orders
/ n overcome the traffic congestion
With a sweep of the pen he took
|rger the docks along a good part Of
|Sev York's waterfront. and Wash
Engton was full of reports last night
that the terminal facilities at other
Atlantic seaports are to be seized.
Following a second conference with
the representatives Of the railroad
brotherhoods. Mr.. McAdOo announced
an agreement for the creation Of a
wage board to handle all questions
relating to the wages Of the em-
ployes during the period of govern
ment operation
The last phrase of that clause-sec-
ton 13 of the bill-is interpreted by
every Congressman who has seen II
as meaning that the railroads will not
go back to their private owners un-
less Congress shall specifically and
affirmatiyely so provide. Commenting
on it. Democratic Leader Kitchin.
said:
There can be no misunderstanding
of that section. The simple failure of
Congress to act would contin.Ie Gov-
ernment operation. One filibustering
Senator could perpetuate government
control for years.
Both Representatives and Senators
were so intent on President Wilson's
urging OF guarantees, and the lam
guage Of the bill providing those guar
antess. that not until late in the aft
ernoon was the inconspicuous little
section discovered. When it was, it
monopolized interest. Chairman sims
was sought and said:
That provision means Just what it
says. We cannot tell what conditions
will exist when the war ends, and
we must reserve the right to lesislate
as then seems best.
Test of q. s. Ownership.
I'VE are entering the greatest test
Of government ownership ever pre-
sented. lift government operation Sue
ceeds. the sentiment for ownership win
be 80 strong that nothing can with
stand II. II II fails. the theory win
be 50 dead that nothing can resurrent
IT,"
The paragraph Is pronounced doubly
significant because the whole bill was
drawn under the direction of Presi-
dent Wilson and Secretary McAdoo,
and introduced frankly as an admin
istration Measure by Chairman Sims.
Il will be taken up Monday by
the Senate Interstate Commerce Com
mittee.
II do not think there will be long
delay IN the passage of the meas
ure." said Senator E d. Smith. of
South Carolina. chairman Of the COM
mlttee
'.Ths temper Of the paolie 4. resu-
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