The sun., 1918-09-07
RAILWAYS URGED TO|
ACCEPT CONTRACT
Executives Advisory Commit
tee Would Avoid Litigation
Over Rental Rate.
BEST POINTS CONCEDED
Chairman Cuyler Gives Patri-
otto Reasons for Prompt Ac-
ton on Federal Control.

Prompt and unhesltating acceptance of
the railway rental contract of Septem-
Der BY every normal railroad in the
United States was advised In a letter
sent out yesterday by Thomas De Witt
Cuyler, chairman Of the Railway Execu-
tves Advisory Committed, to the cor
porate head Of each OF the eighty-two
railroad members Of the association, rep
resenting 30 per cent. Of the mileage Of
the country and every important system
except the Southern Railway The vote
to despatch tho missive was unanimous
on the part of the fifteen members of the
committee, who. with their counsel at
tended meeting at the New Haven
board rooms in the Grand Central Ter
minal.
1t now rests with the stockholders Of
the railways or, II they have delegated
their authority. with the directors to APP
prove the contract. and meetings for this
purpose will be held within a few weeks
Arrangements are being completed, II
was learned yesterday, to have the ad-
visory committee handle the cases Of
the abnormal roads which have the right,
by reason OF reorganization or special
circumstances to negotiate an Individual
contract II II does so. only the cases
having merit will reach direct contact
with the Railroad Administration.
The Railroads Executives Advisory
Committee. In urging the contracts ac-
ceptance as speedily as possible base
their stand. according to the letter, on
the following grounds:
i. Dictates Of patriotism.
2. Enlightened self-interest.
3. 1t is a choice between a guarantee
Of immediate compensation and a resort
to litigation.
4. Matters not conceded are negligible
In comparison with the larger interests.
which have to a substantial extent
been safeguarded.
5. Resort to litigation would be fol-
lowed by disorder in our national
finances and weakening of the nations
financial power
8. Administrators powers are ex-
!cessive. but there Is nothing to justify
apprehension Of reckless disregard
pies.
Z. In time of war no interest can de-
mand absolute safeguards. and Govern
ment control. It cannot be denied, re-
lieveS the roads to an appreciable ex-
tent Of business risks and uncertain
ties naturally attendant upon war con-
dltions
Dimculties in Negotiations.
Yesterdays meeting was considered
by those present as one Of the most i'm
portant sessions in the history OF the ad-
viSory committee and the approval of
tho five months negotiations conducted
by Alfred p. Thorn, general counsel. was
emphatic.
Mr.. Cuyler's letter. which bears the
Endorsement Of every member Of the ad-
visory committee, tells the difficulties Of
negotiations as follows:
We know that In the negotiations the
railroads did not occupy a place Of
equality with the Government that in
any matter of radical and irreconcilable
difference the public. under the patriotic
impulse growing out of the war, would
be likely to accept the Government
and would In all probability view
with suspicion and would condemn
earnestly any demands of the railroad
which were rejected by the Government
as extreme and as indicating an unwill-
ingness on their part to participate In the
general sacrifice which the war Is impos-
ing on every Individual and every bust
ness interest"
AS for the unwisdom OF litigation the
letter says: 1--WE cannot escape the con-
clusion that new appeal to Congress
is beset by such dangers of unfortunate
and disastrous consequences as render
that course In the highest degree unwise,
and that litigation. either under the Fed
eral control act or outside Of 1t. would
involve such uncertainties and delays