New-York tribune., 1918-12-12
McAdOO for
; Years of
Rail Control
Director Announces Pres
ident Approves Plans
He Presents to Congress
Embassies Need
OF Legislation
Believes Time Asked Will
Enable Public to Fairly
Test U. S. Regulation

Enable Public to Fairly
Test u. S. Regulation
WASHINGTON, Dec. 11.-Extension
Of the period Of government control OF
railroads for Ave years, until January
1, 1924, was recommended to Congress
tonight by Director General McAdoo
Advantages Of this, Mr.. McAdoo
said, are that it would take the rail-
read question out Of politics for the
present, give time for carrying out an
extension programme of improvements
and provide opportunity for fair test
OF unified control to indicate the per-
manent solution of the railroad prob
lem.
1.-THE President has given me per-
mission to say that this conclusion ac-
cords with his own view Of the mat
ter" Mr.. McAdoo concluded.
The letter was addressed to Senator
Smith, of South Caroliaa, and Repre-
sentative Sims, chairmen, respectively
Of the Senate and House Interstate
Commerce committees.
Legislation Is Needed
Mr.. McAdoo explained that to con-
tinue government operation for twen-
tyrone months after formal declaration
Of peace under present conditions
would mean disruption of morale
among employees and officers. and could
not enable the government to 60 ahead
with improvements and purchase Of
equipment.
Another alternative-the prompt re-
turn of the railroads to private control,
without legislation to permit elimina-
tion of the old wasteful competition
would be "hurtful- alike to the public
interest and to the railroads them
selves" he said, and the difficulty of
obtaining immediate legislation provid-
ing permanent solution is apparent.
There is one, and to my ymind only
one, practicable and wise alternative" )"
Mr.. McAdoo continued, land that is to
extend the period of Federal control
from the one year and nine months
provided by the present law to five
years, or until the first day of Janu-
ary, 1924.
Would Bring Reforms
"This extension would take the rail-
road question out Of politics for rea-
sonable period.
1T would give composure to railroad
oftcers and employees.
1t would admit Of the preparation
AND carrying out of a comprehensive
programe of improvements of the rail-
roads and their terminal facilities
which would immensely increase the
efficiency of the transportation ma
chine.
1T would put back of the railroads
The credit Of the United States during
tne ilve-year period, so that the financ-
ing OF these improvements could be
successfully carried out.
1t would offer the necessary oppor-
unity under proper conditions to test
'as value of unified control, and the
experience thus gained would of itself
'halcate the permanent solution of the
railroad problem.
The American people have right
10 this test. They should not be de-
MED 1t. 1t is to their interest that it
snouid be done. In my opinion, it is
'he only practicable and reasonable
method Of determining the right solu-
'lon Of this grave economic problem.
Offering No Theories
am not now and have not been
lor the last year interested in proving
OF disproving the theory of government
ownership or any other kind of theory
me railroads have been operated for
.ne last year with the purpose of serv-
ing efficiently the paramount needs of
'ae war and at the same time furnish.
ing The best possible service to the
PUBIC, whether such operation tended
20 prove or to dsprove any theory of
railroad control, no matter what it
might be.
nave formed no opinion myself as
W what is the best disposition of the
taiiroad problem, because the test has
not been sufficient to prove conclusive.
" The right solution of the problem.
pellave that a ive-year test viii
give the American people the right
answer. An ounce of experience is
worth ton of theory.
There are those who may say tina,
a" extension of five years for such g
Test will mean government ownership
sfsonaily, do not believe it.
6ut whether such a test would in.
a'cate that the ultimate solution shall
government ownership or modified
.ofm OF private ownership under effec.
N"e Federal regulation, should no,
"uSe us to hesitate or refuse to act.
Difficulties Met
congress does not extend the time
VT government control, said Mr.. Nc.
: Continued on page tfve