The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1918-01-08
RAILROADS START
FIGHT ON CONTROL
BY The GOVERNMENT
Reaetfonary Senators Are Expected to
Aid ia Effort TO Block Admin-
Iatratlsm Measure.

Washington. Jan, T.-~Prssident Will
sons railroad program today plunged
into a Legislative turmoil Two flights
were launched upon 1t in congress one
by the railroads aud one by a group
OF senators.
RAILROAD executives headed by r. r.
Thorn. their counsel. and julius krutt-
sohnitt Of the Southern Pacific, led an
assault on the presidents three ear
average compensation plan, IL was In
dicated they WIN have the backing of
most OF the roads.
Senator's split into two factions over
the question of permanent govern
ment ownership. each faction being hi
partisan. Following Senator Hiram
Johnson's declaration that he would
nght to make government control per-
rnauent. Republicans Of the old guard
caucussed and decided to block him.
Consequently Senators Watson and Gall
nnesr came out today with amend
ments TO the administration ohL Botn
would amend the last section which
keeps the railroads until congress
shall return them to their owners.
Watson would have the roads held
six months after the end OF the war
but C,ailinger wants them returned Ina"
mediately at the wars conclusion.
Senator johnson will have the sup
port OF the progressive RepuoIicAns'
such as Cummius. Of Iowa, besides the
aid of the prominent Democrats, On
the other hand watson and Gallinger
will rally democratic as well as Re-
publican support
The significance OF the railroads
attack on the compensation plan was
pointed out by Senator PoindeNter In
today's session OF the interstate com
merce committee. While euestionAng
Mr. Kruttschnttt, Senator Foinuextef
brought out the fact that the railroad
hill gives to roads opposing tAe piar
the riHht of appeal to the court oil
claims. Mr.. Kruttschnitt said that un-
less some PLAZA was found that appeal
( ed to all the roads ats being tair.
great mass :of litigation would follow
/ government control.
| Kruttsehnitt lodged two objections
against President Wilson's plan. hi
declared some provision should %
made TO reimburse roads Tor money
inves>>i In their property since TN
end of the fiscal year, June 30, 1917
which the bill does not now include
He also asserted that 1t was not tan
TO include the fiscal year 1915 In IN
average compensation scheme, De
cause 1915, he said, was an exception
ally bad year. ,o,r
tionaily good years." asked Senate
Cummins.
| When Krutschnitt admitted the,
were, Senator Cummins declared
seemed to him only fair to inciud
I19l5.
Kruttschnitt insisted 1915 was IA
below normal, and Senator Cumrnin
the-eupon asked him TO name nor
NAL year for railroad earnings. Whel
Kruttschnitt hesitated Senator Cum
minis asked II he would say any yea
as far back as 1912 was norma
railroad year. Kruttschnitt said ls1
was the best. but even 1t was not yer
good.
!. Senator Cummins was satisfied t
pass that point after showing tina
the roads will receive from the gov
eminent about $ss2,25o.sss yea
under the three-year average plar
But Senator Underwood refused I
drop the question.
i .What wovld you consider fai
basis of compensation? he asked.
II THE exact basis named. by tn
& kcantinuad on Pare Threat