The Sentinel=record., 1918-12-03
COMMITTEE MAY ATTEMPT
 UNIFIED CONTROL PLAN
Senators Express Themselves That the Railroads Should Not Be operat- ed Under the System That Prevail. ed Before They Were Taken Over by the Government.
the GoYernmen nt.

Washington Dee. 2.--Crcatiou of a joint congressional committee. con- siSting of members Of both houses, to inquire into the railroad situation, soon will be sought. it was said toGay after President Wilson had advocated this plan before congress This con- mittee would call railway executives, labor leaders, financial represEnta- tiyoS, officials of the railroad admin istration and members of the inter- state commerce commission to give tbeir views as to the best policies .tCG <the mana cement q the trail- road lines
 Tho committee then would attempt to formulate a plan for somo sort ot unified control. and common manage ment. which most students of rail road matters are said to advocate. re- gardiess Of whether tho eoyernment retains or relinquisles its political control
 The need for haste in this program was explained today by tho president and emphasized later by the railroad administration officials who admitted they anticipate difficulty in carrying new equipment distributing 1t among roads and making extensive improve ments contemplated for next year, without stretching the governments war powers beyond the point where railroad companies are willing to CO., operate.
 Any congressional commission which might be created would virtual ly take up the work of the old com mitteo headed Dy the late Senator Newlands wha,h conducted all inquiry into the condition Of railroads before they were taken over 5y tie govern ment.
 The interstate commerce cOnmis- sion has gathered official information on railroad matters during the months of federal management which would De available Congressional icad CTS, including chairmcn Of the scn- ate and house interstate commerce committees said today tho lmo of ac- ton is as yet undetermined Several, however, believed that a joint inquiry. either by 6 new joint committee or by tue existing Jody will begin soon.
 Democratic leaders expressed 4ope tLat legislation will be possible dur ing the present session, but some republican members said it was doubt- ful if so Important and debatsble a question could be decisivoy settlco during the congestion of the short ses- sion.
 Prominence Of the railroad ques- ! 4. Ion iu the minds Of cOngrcSsnien was evidenced by many statements on the subject issued after the pres tdCnt's address.
 Chairman smith, of the senate in
 ta,rstate coma,ercc committee. pre- dicted that "a modified and porhap5 l iradically modified plan of private control would result.
 He gave no details Of his views Senator Kellogg, C. Minnesata. re- publican. urged immediate congress
 ional study of tho question and "sirong government control regulating issues
 l or securities and control over ser yicc."
 He opposed releasing Of tse roads and return to old conditions without ' A'rther legislation.
 1 senator Watson, CT Indiana. cNpu1 .- lican. said lie believe the r0ilroads should be "na,ionalized" under soy
 ernment control With private owner ship. but operated Joy pooling as q Iunit under a common equipment zone
 plan.
 Immediate acton by congress Tn
 dealing with tue situation also was urged ty Senator Cummlns, Of Iowa. lrepubliean. who agreed with the prea- ide1t that the railroads should not De returned under She old system,
 Senator. penrose of Pennsylvania,
 reDubliean, said thc voice of coHeress 'and the people vcul hc heard "iu