New-York tribune., 1918-07-01
Railway Administration
Says 1t Has No Request
for Trip to New York
Many Leaders in
Congress Decline
Proposed Journey Consid-
cred a Scheme for "a
Patriotic Alibi"
Especial Dispatch to The Tribune)

(Specia! Dispatch to The Tribane)
WASHINGTON, June 30.-There were
many decisions to-day by members of
Congress who had planned to 60 to
New York on the Fourth of July for
glorious junket, with all expenses paid
by Hearst, that they could not afford
to have themselves held UP to the peo-
pie Of New York and the country as
joining with Mr.. Hearst in loyalty
demonstration.
Are you going on Hearst's ;unket 2"
was a favorite question when two men,
bers of either house met to-day on the
street or in their office buildings-for
many of them work even on Sunday.
Aside from the Hearst label being
pinned on the expedition in the minds
Of some who had thought it was civic
affair, and some who had thought it
was a Tammany Hall demonstration,
danger threatened from another quar-
ter. The special train about which Mr.
which had been painted in words
which spelled Lucullan luxury by the
Hearst agents who have been extend
ing the invitations, seems to be in dan
ger.
No Record of Request
The railroad administration to-
night could not find record of any re-
ques for such train. 1t was said at
tho railroad administration Offices
that requests for special cars or spe-
cial trains are all supposed to pass
through the Washington office. in view
Of the rule laid down recently cutting
out special cars and trains except in
cases where the necessity wls shown
1t was said that although it could not
be told in advance whether such re-
quest in the Hearst case would be
granted it would undoubtedly have to
pass under the rule.
There was much indignation among
members Of the House and Senate and
among some officials of the railroad
and fuel administrations at the sug-
geston of special junkctng train
from Washington to New York and
back again. There are patriotic exer-
cises plenty, it was pointed out, which
members can attend in Washington,
without running a special train to New
York, which would disarrange train
schedules on one of the busiest
stretches of track in America, part of
which must carry much of the coal that
is to keep the munition factories of
New England running this winter
with coal famine actually prophesied
by Fuel Administrator Garfield, even if
the maximum carrying capacity of the
railroads can be maintained.
McAdoo in California
The havoc wrought in train schedules
and railroad operation by special trains
is fully realized by the Railroad Ad-
ministration. Hence the ruling that
there must be none, save when ap-
proved directly by the offices Of the
director general. Director General
McAdoo is in California, but his sub
ordinates here tonight denied any
knowledge of such special permission.
Members Of Congress who disapprove
the junket were amazed at the audacity
of Hearst in talking Of special train
in view of the present railroad conges-
ton They pointed that members Of
Congress who accepted the invitation
were really responsible, since the gov
ernment would never give prmission,
they said for such train merely be-
cause q rich New Yorker was willing
to spend the money. But if several
hundred members of Congress accepted
invitations, they pointed out, there
would be pressure in favor of the
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