Arizona republican., 1918-02-03
Railroads Will Be Kept in Government Hands Not More Than Two Years
 After Close of the War

WASHINGTON, Feb. 2.-The ad- ministartion railroad bill limiting the period of government control of the railroads and providing for compenSa- tion to the stockholders will be re- ported to both houses of congress next week. At the urgent request of Di- rector General McAdoo administration leaders will make every effort to ex pedite its passage
 The senate interstate commerce committee voted today to report the measure favorably on Monday, with amendments limiting government con- trol to eighteen months after the close of the war and giving the president power to initiate rates subject to ap- peal to the interstate commerce com mission. The committees action was not unanimous, Senators CumminS and La Toilette, republicans, announcing they would submit minority reports.
 The house committee by vote of 15 to approved an amendment provid- ing for termination of government con- trol two years after peace is declared. Chairman Sims later announced that his committee would complete consid- eration of the measure Tuesday or Wednesday and that he would ask unanimous consent for immediate passage.
 Two-Year Limit Opposed Chairman Sims vigorously opposed the two years limitation as adopted, declaring that it would affect the val uation of railway securities. Repre- l sentative Montague insisted that at least two years would be required for the railroad interests to adjust them selves after the war. Those voting for 1 the two-year amendment were Mon | tague, Rayburn, Coady, Dewalt, Shook, Sanedrs, Esch, Hamilton, Parker of l New Jersey, Parker of New York, Win slow, Dillon, Sweet, Stines and Cooper, and those voting against it were Sims, Doremus, Stephens, Barkley, Decker and Dale.
 The senate committee left unchanged the original provision in the bill fixing | the rate of compensation on the basis | of the annual railway opearting income l for the three years ending on June 30 | 1917, and the house committee also is expected to agree to this provision which was suggested by the president
 lncerased Compensation Amendments for increased compen- sation to roads based on their earnings or surplus accrued during the period of government control and put into | the property were accepted. The sec I chase and construct canals was amend ed so as to permit only of their utiliza- l tion.
 The section providing for an appro- priation of s500, 000,00 to be used as g revolving fund from which to pay any deficiency that may result or to pro- vide for additional facilities, was re- tained by the senate committee. The fund would provide. the government with working capital operating the | roads
 In providing for the termination o government control eighteen month: after the war, the senate committed further ammended the bill so as tt authorize the president. if in his opin ion the necessity for further contro should terminate, to relinquish super
 vision over all roads before that time
 Discretionary power to determine u to July l, 1918, what roads are neces
 sary in the government operation plal
 also is placed in the president, bu
 after that time he could not exclud
 from government control any roat without its consent.
 The amendment authorizing tn
 president to initiate rate permits al
 appeal either by the carrier or shippe , to the interstate commerce commis sion which is to investigate and de
 termine their fairness.