The Birmingham age-herald., 1918-12-10
IMcAdoo Disappointed When Told Congress Would Not Extend Control
 Five Years
WILL MAKE FURTHER | STUDY OF THE RIVER
 BEFORE RETIREMENT
Alabama Delegation Appears Before Secretary Asking for Defi- nite Action on River 4
 Development
By HUGH W. ROBERTS

By HUGH W. ROBERTS Washington, December g.. For the completion of all in land waterway projects action by Congress extending the ex- pertinent of federal control of transportation systems is es- sential, according to repeated intimations by Director Gen eral McAdoo this morning. To an Alabama delegation headed by Senators Bankhead and Underwood, Nh McAdoo discussed the entire question generally, and the Warrior river project only in incidental manner He left the tation should be extended through a period of five additional years, and that
 unless such a course was authorized by Congress, the railroads would in the very near future be restored to their owners It was his intimation, which could not be misunderstood, that only in exception al cases could the government having released the railroads, expend further sums in commercializing inland water ways.
 NOT PREPARED FOR ACTION Very frankly the director general ex- plained that he had not prepared him self for action relative to the Warrior, He stated that while he had discussed the matter with G.. A, Tomlinson, who re- gently visited Alabama, he had not read the report of that expert. He agreed,
 however, that as soon as he had trans ferred the treasury to Carter Glass, he would busy himself with the War rior, and proceed to take action.
 The interview began when Senator
 Bank head asked the director general If he really intended to retire from the service January l. "I will retire or bust, was McAdoo's reply.
 'In that event. continued the senator
 I've want you to act in accordance with your promises before January IL --'I will if it be possible returned the director general. Tn any event, however, you will have the right of ap- peal to my successor
 MUST EXTEND EXPERIMENT While the delegation was attempting | to tApldlH tn1l IL WAS dcPtHucHt cH- tirely upon the present official. MT. Me- Adoo took charge of the conversation and presented his views respecting gov- ernmental control. He explained that un- less Congress would extend the great ex- pertinent, railroad properties must be re- stored at an early date. He made it very clear, however that he thought 1t would be stupidity personified sif the American people lost the present oppor- t~ l. 4 .<.Vl mentation of five years just what were the relative merits in government con trol. private ownership and government ownership. He made it plain that in his opin- ion. with the relinquishment of the rail- roads went also inland waterway proJ- ects Addressing himself. first to Sena- tor Underwood, he asked what Congress would do with a bill providing for an extension of government control The senator replied that sentiment had not become crystallzed, but that he doubted the willingness of Congress to extend the time limits of extension to secure action before March f.
 The director general then addressed the same question to Senator Bankhead with the ever recurring reminder that water ways would share with railroads in tho development of the suggested i've years Senator Bankhead replied that he did no. believe that the interstate commerce committee of the Senate would even re. port a bill providing for an extension.
 APPARENTLY DISAPPOINTED
 These replies were apparently disap- pointing to the director general, who left the impression that he was anxious tnot for personal reasons, for he is, about to retire) that the experimental stage be extendedA Without authority. it was gathered that the administration Will soon make such proposal to Congress with the alternative statement that un less such action be taken the properties must be immediately restored
 In the course of his remarks the direc- tor general referred to the position of many state railroad commissions, nciiid- ing that of Alabama. in which they claimed exclusive jurisdiction over intra- state rates.
 MT. McAdoo, without reference to legal questions mvoly ct, expressed opinlon that in the ultimate there was no such thing as an ntrastate rate. Before re +tiring. the delegation promised again to Interview the director general with an offer of aid. It is known that this offer will be in the form of a suggestion that if inc Warrior project is completed eff forts will be made to secure for the gov ernnent guarantee of per cent on its inv estment.
 Senators Bankhead and Underwood and w. D. Nesbitt, k. w. Barrett and B. M. Allen of Birmingham, and w. M. Clemens, of Mobile. comprised the dele gation