New-York tribune., 1918-02-03
Senate Committee Measure
Limits Control to Is Months
After Wars Close
House Body Makes
Period Two Years
President at His Discretion
Can Turn Lines Back to
Owners Even Sooner

WASHINGTON, Feb. 2.-Thc Admin
istration railroad bill, limiting the
period of government control of the
railroads and providing for compensa-
ton to the stockholders will be re-
ported to both houses of Congress next
week. At the urgent request of D-
rector General McAdoo, Administration
leaders will make every effort to cx-
peditc passage of the measure.
The Senate Interstate Commerce
Committee voted to-day to report the
measure favorahly on Monday. with
amendments limiting government con-
troll to eighteen months after the close
Of the war and giving the President
power to initiate rates, subject to an
peal to the Interstate Commerce Com
mission. The committees action was
not unanimous, Senators Cummins and
La Toilette announcing that they
would submit minority reports.
House May Amend Dill
The House committee, by vote of
Is to s, approved an amendment pro-
viding for termination of government
control two years after peace is de-
clared. Chairman Sims later announced
that his committee would complete con-
sheraton of the measure Tuesday or
Wednesday and that he would ask
unanimous consent for its immediate
passage.
Four amendments to limit the time
of government control were offered in
the House committee. One, by Repre-
sentative Esch, fixed the time at one
year after the war; another, by Repre-
sentative Barclay, at three years;
third. by Representative Parker, at
eighteen months. and fourth, by Rep
rcsentatlvs Montague, at two years.
Chairman Sims vigorously opposed
the two years limitation as adopted.
declaring that it would affect the valu
alton of railroad securities. Repre-
sentative Montague insisted that at
least two years would be required for
the railroad interests to adjust them
selves after the war. Those voting for
the two-year amendment were: Mon
tague, Rayhurn, Coady, Dewalt. Shook,
Sanders, Esch, Hamilton, Parker, of
New Jersey; Parker, of New York;
Winslow, Dillon, Sweet, Stiness and
Cooper. Those voting against it were:
Sims, Doremus, Stephens, Barklev.
Decker and Dale.
The Senate committee left unchanged
the original provision in the bill fx-
ing the rate of COMPENSATION on tho
basis of the annual operating income
for the three years ended June 80,
1917; and the House committee also is
expected to agree to this provision.
which was suggested by the President
Cannot Dig New Canals
Amendments forbiddnc increased
compensation to roads based on thc;r
earnings or surplus accrued during the
period OF government control and nut
INTO the property were accepted. The
section authorizing the President to
purchase and construct canals was
amended so as to permit only of their
utilization.
INC section providing for an appro-
prlation OF 100000, 900 to be used as
a revolving fund from which to nav
any deficiencies that may result. or to
provide Tor additional facilities, was
ielancd by the Senate committee. The
fund would provide tho government
With working capital for the operation
OF the roads
Discretion to President
III providing for the termination OF
government control eighteen months
after the war, the Senate COMMITTEES
further amended the bill so as to au-
thorize the President, if in his opinion
necessity for further control should
terminate, to relinQush supervision
over I'll roads before that time. Dis
cretionary power to determine up to
July. 1913, what roads are necessary in
the government operation plan also is
given to the President, but after that
time he could not exclude from govern
ment control any road without its con-
sent.
The amendment authorizing the Pres
dent to indicate rates permits appeal
either by the carrier or shipper to
the Interstate Commerce Commission,
which is to investigate and determine
their fairness. This section, and the
one fixing the time Of government con-
troll, we're bitterly debated in the COM
mittee, and, owing to the wide differ
ences, an adjustment was effected only
after the questions had been sub
mitted to committee.