The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1918-02-20

AUOr Johnson advocated publicity as
the only means Of preventing such
conditions.
AS he opened for the day on
the railroad control bill, Senator
johnson spoke against excessive
compensation and in favor Of per-
manent retention and ownership.
Senator Norris of Nebraska also
opposed "the Presidents basis" of
compensation as excessive in case
Of favored roads and calculated to
distress those mot favored. The
President, he said, "is already over
burdened with authority" without
the arbitrary power proposed in the
bill, which he must necessarily ex-
ercise by proxy. Senator Thomp-
son Of Kansas said that Government
ownership could not come too soon
for him. He did not favor a time
limit on possession and control, now
exercised, but he was not ready for
forcing on the public the question
before it was prepared for it. Sem
ator Townsend Of Michigan spoke
forcibly in objection to details of
the bill, as well as to some Of its
principles. He said among other
things that it was an open secret
that the great railroad systems had
accepted the bill on the understand
ing that the powers given in it
would be used to raise rates. The
rate-fixing power might be used as
a power Of taxing first the shipper
and then the ultimate consumer"
Opening the . discussion in the
House, Chairman Sims, for the House
Committee on Interstate Commerce,
made no attempt at oratorical dis
play, but spoke clearly and forcibly.
His address is perhaps the best sum-
mary OF the views Of the Administra-
ton so far put on record. OF "the
old competitive system" as objected
to incidentally by the Director Gen
eral, Mr.. Sims said that It is manifest
the railroads ought not to be turn
ed back to their owners Immediately
upon the return of peace. He thought
that 'it may be the country may not
be willing to have the companies go
back to the old system OF uncon-or-
dinated competitive operation" The
substitute for 1t proposed by the
Director Genral has not yet been ex-
planned.
Speeches by Messrs. Parker, Dill
lon and others, with questions from
the Republican side, showed dissent
ready to develop on details of the
House bill, perhaps to the point Of
it, but not of attempting
a radical stand by Republicans or
Autobiography Democrats" to de-
feat its passage. The issue 50 far
made is on Compensation"
When Senator Gore, for the Sen
ate Committee on Agriculture re-
ported the bill raising the minimum
price Of wheat to $3.50 at the point
Of marketing by producers, Senator
Kenyon said that he would not feel
bound by the report of the commit
tee when the matter came before the
Senate. Debate developed the fact
that all "price-fxing" on wheat and
foodstuffs done so far is done not
under the act for fixing a minimum
price of 81 for wheat raised this
year, but, by implication, from other
acts. Under implications of the
Lever Food Control bill as now re-
ported favorably to the House, the
market for all foodstuffsN might be
controlled with or with
but fixing prices by proclamation.
So might "the ultimate consumers"
The Senate subcommittee on Judi
ciary, considering the bill authoriz-
ing the suspension Of existing laws
which are supposed to restrict "uni-
icstion and coordination" will
make changes, it is said, only to
make the bill more specific. The
'Overman bill" on which the full
Judiciary Committee reported IA
yorably is not this particular "Over-
nan BILL" but another Of only local
To avoid mistakes,
perhaps unjust to the Judiciary
it may be noted that the
word "Overman" exactly translated
nto German becomes "Ueber-
which, translated back, Is
in Latin-English, As
bills are now pending in Congress to |
,elieve the restraints Of the Constl- |
.ution and laws IN accordance with |
t, any one who exercises the sum of |
Iuch powers may demonstrate that
Ia Is superhuman, as vel las super
American.
The bill creating an Assistant |
Secretary Of War was favorably re-
ported from tho Committee on Mill
airy Affairs by Senator Hitchcock,
Who announced the Illness Of Chair
nan Chamberlain, During the day
: NJ