The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1918-12-06
RAIL MERGER R
ISFAV0REDBY
COMMERCE BODY
Interstate Commission Says
Closer Cooperation Under
Control Is Needed
REGULATION is SUGGESTED
Board Would Have Policies of
Roads Directed BY Gov
eminent in Future

Washington, Dec 6-Regardless of
whether railroads finally go back to
private management or remain in the
hands Of the government, radical
changes should be made in their
methors and theories Of operation to
provide a partial merger under some
sort Of government regulation. the In
terstate Commerce Commission says
in its annual report mode public to-
day.
The Commission believes the time
is not ripe to recommend concrete
proposals for legislation relating to
the future policy toward railroads.
but says whatever be the nations de-
cision, there should be provision for
complete unitication of the railways
in war time, partial merger in ordln-
ary times, limitation of railway con-
structiOn to public necessity, and sys-
tematic encouragement of the devel-
opment of inland waterways, and
their coordination with rail carriers.
In other words. the Commission IS
opposed to restoration OF the old con-
dtions of individual competition, in
which pooling of traffic was forbid
rem by aw, and to the building OF ne"
lines without proof to the government
that they are economically necessary.
If it is finally decided to restore
railroads to private management. says
the Commission, there should be legis-
lation to permit their co-operatlon'
emancipation Of railway operation
from financial dictation. government
regula ton of security Issues; clearing
awav of the existing twilight zone be-
tween the authority of state and fed
eral authorities in railroad super.
vision: efficient use Of equipment ana
common use of terminals
On the other hand, if the pollcV Oh
government ownership should be
adopted. the principal questions to be
consid cred are: The price to be PAID
the railroads from being made sources
for the roads; means OF preventing
Of revenue to the government, and al
so to maintain them as self-support-
ing; measures to define carefully the
responsibility OF the railway admin
istration to Congress- and other fed-
eral and state authorities, guarantees
against intrusion OF partisan politics
into railway management, and crea-
ton of tribunal to settlement OF
controversies over railroad matters.
Some sort of government regulation
is suggested by the commission in con
nection with each Of the five alterna
tiyes of future policy which may be
set forth by different interests in the
near future These alternatives are:
Continuation Of the present system OF
government control with privae own
ership, public ownership with private
operation, private operation with gov
eminent regulation and guarantees
complete private control and owner
ship and complete public ownership
and operation.
The report deals at length with thu
upheaval of railroad relations caused
by the war and the governments as
sumption of operation, and the reda
lions of the Interstate Commerce
Commission to Director General Nc
Adoo and the railroad administration
The Commission has co-operated full,
with the government management
says the report. but the Commission
Still retains it's authority to review
rates initiated by the Director Gen
eral.
Railroad valuation work of tn
Commission, which will become
great Importance in case Of govern
ment purchase, is proceeding witt
little interference on account of the
war Safety work has been assumes
partly by the railroad administration
but educational work is being coniiH
ued throughout the country. Tn
Commission in the last year ha
made great strides in seeking to pre-
mote uniform rate classihcatlons
and has undertaken a number O
other investigations of rates an
practices.
The report, including the statemen
concerning future policies towar
railroads. is signed b all the commits
sioners. except George W. Anderson
who recently resigned to accept ar
other federal appointment. Other
are: Winthrop NJ. Daniels, chairman
Edgar F. Clark. James S. Harlan
Charles C. McChord, Balthasar +
Meyer, Henry C. Hall, Clyde B. Aitch
son and Robert w. Wooley.