The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1918-12-03
Says Congress Of the Railroad
Question as 1t Stands.
May Reach No Agreement at
the Session Opening.
CALL FOR INVESTIGATION
Cannot Let Roads Go Back on
Their Pre-War Basis.
But Congressman Do Not Know
What They VIII Do.

Washington, Dec. 3.-Settlement of
the railroad problem at this session of
congress will be practically impos-
sible, leaders of both houses declare
today. They based the assertion upon
"a hurried survey of the situation, fol-
lowing President Wilson's request in
his mossage that congress Immediately
evolve plan of railroad control,
which win eliminate evils that existed
when the government took the lines as
q war measure.
Senators Smith, South Carolina; I'm
derwood, Alabama; Cummins, Iowa !;
and Representatives Esch and Sims,
members of the interstate commerce
committees OF the two houses, con-
CURED in this view. They and pkac-
tically all other members of congress
agreed heartily with the presidents
assertion that the roads cannot be
turned back under pre-war conditions.
AS to the degree of modification, the
views ranged from complete govern
ment ownership and operation to
slight changes in existing laws.
No Plan in Mind.
Senator Smith and Representative
Sims, chairmen of the two committees.
both stated they have no plan in mind
for attacking the problem which the
president puts squarely up to congress.
Within a short time they will call
meetings of their respective commit
tees to outline the speediest way of
dealing with the matter, in view of the
presidents intimation that undue de-
lay by congress will lead him to turn
the railroads back just as he took
them.
'It is my clear impression that the
president intends, if there is no legis-
lation in the near future to restore
the railroads to their owners" said
Senator Underwood. 1T is a physi-
cal impossibility for there to be any
legislation at the present session. 1t
therefore, seems obvious to me that
the presidents attitude will result in
throwing this problem into the lap of
the new congress which the Republi-
cans will control"
Approach 1t Openly.
Senator Cummins. who after March
4, succeeds Senator Smith as chair
man of the interstate commerce COM
mittee. said congress should ZAP
proach the question with open minds
ready to hear all that is to be said
and willing to view it from every
Standpoint and then decide without
fear, favor or prejudice. This does
not mean that members should dis
card their convictions. but it does
mean that we must hold our judg-
ment subject to the change which in
require"
Cummins urged immediate opening
Of a painstaking investigation upon
which to base action. He is generally
regarded as favoring public owner
ship.
Representative Esch, who on March
4. becomes chairman of the house
committee said:
Mako an Investigation.
1.-THE railroad inyeStiga tiOn ShOuId
be made by the joint committee for
merly headed by Senator Newlands.
1t is the only body 1 know of which
has even made a start on an investiga-
ton along the required lines. its life
ends January 1. but it could be eX-
tended"
E.sch is a member of this commit
tee, which already has gathered more
than 1000 pages of testimony regard
ing railroad operation.
Il do not believe" he continued
that the federal government should
retain any powers such as it now has
such as ordering interchange of SER
vice, distribution of equipment and
rerouting by shortest routes