Evening journal., 1918-01-15
ASK roads BACK
YEER AFTER WAR
Railway Chiefs Adopt ReSo.
luton Requesting Congress
TO Fix Time Limit
CALL THE SIMS
BILL FAULTY

NEW YORK. Jan. i5.-The conferenc,
Of railroad presidents and executives
20 officials representing III roads
which met with sreat secrecy at tn,
New York Central Onlces here on sun
day, adopted a resolution calling on
Congress to amend the Sims bill sC
that the roads viii be returned to theii
owners within a year after the cessa-
tion Of war.
This information was obtained yes
terdRy as exact confirmation Of the re-
port in regard 10 the real meaning and
intent Of the conference. Railroad in
terests are frankly anxious for the gov
erDment to declare its policy not only
as regards the period Of Government
control but as regards financing and
other important matters.
Frank Trumbull. chairman Of the
railway executives advisory committee,
which represents the railroad presi-
dents Of the country, said yesterday
that Congress should insert a clause
IN the Sims railroad bill or provide by
other enactment that the railroads
should revert to their owners one year
after the war ends, or sooner II the
President should so direct.
This statement was made after Nfr
Trumbull had forwarded to Washing
ton a resolution adopted at a meeting
of the railroad presidents here Sunday
declaring that 10 was only a square
deal TO the railroads taken over by the
government as a war emergency meas
ure, for the government. through Con-
gress, to say that nfter the war the
government would hand back the roads
70 those who had them prior 10 Janu-
ary 1. 1918.
The argument has been advanced by
members Of Congress and other on
cials at Washington that TO hand the
roads back TO their owners immediate
ly after the war would present an op-
portunity for speculation IN railroad
securities and would also be unfair to
some OF the roads. because they would
be crippled by extra wear and tear due
TO war operations more than some
other roads. 10 was also said that the
fixing OF any definite date for the re-
turn Of the roads would lend an oppor-
tunity for stock market manipulation.
Mr.. Trumhull added that both Of
these objections could be met by the
one year provision he suggested, Civ
ing the President the say az to the ex-
act date, he thereby having power TO
decree regulations guarding against I'M
toward dealings. He said also that the
matter OF giving the roads back In as
good condition as shey were taken over
need not cause any hesitancy about
fixing a time limit on government
operation, inasmuch as tho guarantee
Of condition by the government could
be met by making financial concessions
to cover the matter. the roads being
well able TO rehabilitate themselves II
supplied with the proper funds.
It IS also recognized by The railroad
presidents that the end Of The war VIII
IN all probability sec the government
with considerable financial interest IN
the roads, it being the supposition Of
carrier executives that railroad lnanc-
ing during tho war viii be done
through the purchase of railroad Sc
curities by the government However.
Mr. Trumbuli pointed out that a year
would be time enough 10 provide for
many adjustments that might be nee
cssary.
What ihe railroad presidents insist