Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1918-01-19
M'ADOO REPLIES
TO COM MERGE
BODY OF SENATE
Many Short Roads TO Be
Dropped From Government
Control, He States
BY Associated Press

Washington, Jan. 19.-Director
General McAdoo was summoned be-
fore the Senate Interstate Commerce
committee to-day to explain the
operation of government administra-
ton of railroads. Mr.. McAdoo said
| that certain so-called short line rail-
roads would be released from gov
ernment operation as soon as in
Nesttgations now under way determ-
med 1t was not necessary.
10 Dump Unnecessary Lines
In explaining the purposes of the
administration railroad legislation.
| Director General McAdoo said he did
not propose to keep control of any
unnecessary lines nor have the gov
ernment compensate those not taken
| over.
LAS far as I can see after three
weeks preliminary investigation"
said Mr.. McAdoo, 81 don't contem-
plate taking over any roads not nee
essary for the governments war pur-
poses and If some interests necessar-
lily get hurt by it, they will have to
stand it,"
May Control Canals
Director McAdoo said that if ii
should develop that operation OF
canals was necessary they might be
taken over. He added that operation
will also be extended to inland water
ways.
Director McAdoo was told by Sen.
ators that small, Independent short
lines, feared bankruptcy IL the gov
ernment took control of the large
trunk lines and that the government
SHOULD take over all railroads, large
or small.
Will Not Reimburse
Il can't tell yet McAdoo replied
what will be essential for the pur.
poses of the war. The treasury, al.
ready ovcrburdencd, can't be callet
upon to reimburse for real, imagi
nary or INDIRECT injury. 1 don't thinl
the government should draft into il.
service u needless railroad any more
than 1t should draft cripple into
the military service. There is no in
tention to do any injustice to the
short lines. They will be helped al
far as possible consistent with the
needs of the nation"
Chairman Smith suggested the
short lines are in a difficult situation
because of the sudden transition o.
the transportation systems from 6
competitive to a controlled basis.
"HolIering Before Hit
1T seems to me-" Mr.. McAdoo re
piled, that the short lines are hol
lering before they are hit. The bill
ought to provide compensation FOL
railroads only that are really uset
and injured"
do you consider these short lines
are part of the continental system p
asked Senator Smith.
Il would consider them So" Mr.
McAdoo replied, ''if they form par
of the system utilized for war neces
stiles. I have assumed that the bill
will not deal specifically with ques
tions as to what should or should no
be taken over by the government
under the Presidents proclamation
That has got to be determined after
an investigation. My own opinion Is
that it is the duty of the director
general, as quickly as possible to de-
termine what railroads or parts oi
railroads are needed by the govern
ment and to notify the carriers. Thai
is now in process.
LAS to railroads taken over, COM
pensation is provided under the Law
we are going to pass. AS to those out
side it seems to me any injury is q
matter for the courts to determine
| don't believe the law should re.
quire compensation to railroads
whether the government needs them
or not.
There is no disposition to riE
anybody up the back. It's the gov
ernment's desire to treat small as
well as big roads as equitably as Is
possible, as far as is compatible with
public use and interest. All the lines
| excluded. from government control
! ought to be kept going, encouraged
and treated by the government with
utmost fairness and consideration"