The Brattleboro daily reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1913-1955, 1918-12-27
Congress Opposed to Propo-
sitiOn to Buy TranspOr-
tatiOn Routes
TO BEGIN WORK
ON RAILROAD LAW
Large Majority Would Increase Gov
eminent Regnlation-Control of Stock
and Bond Issues Suggested by Con-
gresham Esch.

4
resumption of regular business in con
gress Jan. 2 the first move will be
made toward solving the railroad prob.
lem. President Wilson in his address
| Dee. 2 said it was for congress to de-
eide the permanent relations between
the railroads, the government and the
holders of railroad securities.
The suggestion frequently heard here
of late that there is serious move.
Inent in capitol circles looking toward
actual government ownership can now
be put down as untenable. The closest
sort of an unofficial survey OF the two
houses reveals only small element
holding this view.
What actually exists is large ma.
jority Of 10th houses favorable 10
broadening TO a considerable degree the
government powers of regulation, as
administered more and more in late
years by the interstate commerce com
mission. The actual strength of this
majority il which party lines are
scarcely TO be distinguished is assur-
eddy two-thirds of congress In the
house the proceedings NAV run consid.
erably higher.
There exists in both houses a group
OF supporters of the program of com
plete government ownership, but it does
not comprise more than 10 or at most
IL per cent of the membership. In
10th houses there exists group of
ultra-conservatives who favor the re.
turn Of the lines TO private ownership
aud control with all possible CELEBRITY
This group is the least to be considered
for i is too small 10 figure in any CON-
promise with either of the other groups
or any combination which will be effec-
tive.
The two committees of congress are
ready now 10 proceed with their study
TO lay the groundwork of the railroad
law which the next congress must
frame. Representative Esch Wis,
who will be chairman of the house com.
mittee on interstate commerce. which
will frame the bill in the Goth con
srcss, said yesterday:
1t IL necessary that the formula
ton of the law should be started at
once 1t shall be the permanent guar
antee to the public of efficient service
In transportation, TO the holders of
honest railroad securities of the inteo.
fltv of their Investments and to the
railroads OF efficient management and
the elimination Of unrestricted compe-
tition. which may destroy both eff
cheney and integrity The problem is
vast and intricate aud will require
time. But the 81 months provided
under the resolution by which the rail
road administration was legaGzed as
necessary 10 elapse before the delivery
OF the lines back to the owners is
ample.
Government acquisition of the lines
would involve IN OUTLAY of $4,000
100000 to $ls.00N,000,00 It is high
ly questionable il the American tax.
payer is@prerared to accept this new
burden during this period of paying of
the stupendous costs of the war. This
is aside from any views which may he
entertained as 10 the righteousness Of
the general scheme.
There are several lines of develop.
ulent which must be taken into consid.
Grafton. There must be new power in
the hands of the interstate commerce
commission, in the exercise Of which il
can forbid issues of stocks and bonds
, by existing lines. Every need for
new capital should he submitted 10 the
commission. The issuance Of short
term notes, designed 10 permit borrow.
1 ing OF emergency funds, should not hr
included, but this freedom OF action
ought to be restricted To single wear.
: The vicious circle which has so
often disclosed itself under which i'm.
mediately following permissive increase
of rates by the interstate commerce
commission there followed a demand
on the part of the railroad employees
for wage increases must he eliminated,
The solution lies in giving to the com
mission authority over wage SEIZED.
uleS.
1.-The third problem is revision of the
Interpreting laws SO as to include some
provision for pooling within limits
| fixed by the commission which would
give the shipping public the benefits
hn