South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1918-02-23
j. 8. CONTROL
Of LINES HELD
To IS MONTHS
Short Lines Included in Opera
ton by GoVernment-Pro-
vide S50O,00O,O0o for
Running Expenses.

WASHINGTON. Feb. %. - The
administration bill, providing for
government control Of railroads un-
til IS months after the war, includ-
ing many short lines" and appro-
priating a revolving fund of $780,
O0O. 600 for federal operation, was
passed Friday by the senate with
out a roll call. and now, awaits ac-
tion in the house where il is under
debate
Both senate and house worked
throughout Fridays holiday 10 ex-
pedite the legislation. General de-
bate was concluded Friday in the
house and arrangements made to
consider amendments Saturday un-
der five minute debate rule with a
view TO final action early next week.
Differences between the senate and
house drafts then will be adjusted
in conference.
Neither on final passage nor ON
numerous roll calls Friday in the
senate was there any record OF SEN
timent on the bill as a whole The
agreement of the senate interstate
commerce committee under which
the compromise draft was brought
in virtually precluded important re-
vision. The only amendment rad
ically changing the compromise
draft provides for inclusion of
short line" railroads in federal
control and benefits.
Retain All Provisions
Provisions Of the committee COM
promise fixing the compensation of
railroads to the three year basis,
providing the S5OO,0OO.0OO evolving
fund appropriation, authorizing the
president TO initiate rates subject
to interstate commerce commission
veto and limiting government con-
troll 10 IS months after the war All
were retained by the senate.
Amendments TO reduce the period
of control after peace is declared
failed. One by Sen. Lodge of Mass
achusetts TO make the time limit
six months instead Of is months
was defeated AZ TO IS, and another
by Sen. King of Utah to make the
period II months likewise, was re-
jected 45 to % There was no at
tempt Friday to revive the fight for
indefinite government control which
was defeated Thursday by the de-
cisive vote of 81 TO 10.
Provision fer the short line"
railroads was made in an amend
ment by Sen. Cummins of Iowa,
adopted IS to IA Independent
feeders" Of the trunk lines es.i-
mated to be worth more than a bill
lion dollars are affected. Fears eX-
pressed by many senator's today
that the short lines would become
bankrupt if not brought within gov
eminent control was the basis of
the senate's action.
Director Gen. McAdoo has OPP
posed the legislation for the short
lines" on the ground that no rail-
roads except those selected as nee
essary to government uniication
and successful operation should be
brought within federal direction
and aid.
Fail TO Cut Compensation.
Determined efforts TO reduce the
government compensation TO rail
road owners failed. As passed the
measure provides that approximate
ly S945, 100000 will, be guaranteed
the carriers, based on their stand
ard net return for the three year
period ending June %, 1917. Sen.
Cummins offered amendments pro-
viding. respectively. that such net
returns should not be above five. six
and seven percent of their Capitali-
zation They were defeated. 40 to
20, 10 to "a and AZ TO - respec-
lively
Amendments designed to limit
scope Of the presidents orders in
operating the carriers also were
voted down. a proposal 10y Sen.
Sterling of South Dakota to keep
in effect the present laws and func-
tions governing the interstate COM
merce commission and state railway
commissions. was rejected by viva
voce vote. while one by Sen. Hitch
cock of Nebraska to limit the
presidents orders to acts specifically
authorized by law was beaten 40
TO %.
Also the senate rejected IS to Il,
a motion by Sen. Kirby Of Arkansas.
TO strike out the provision authoriz-
ing the president 10 buy and sell
railroad securities.
Reject Substitute Bill.
The substitute bill Of Sen. Town
send of Michigan, a member of the
interstate commerce committee, was
rejected 81 TO IA. re said il was
patterned virtually after the com
promise draft. but with many
alleged defects eliminated.