Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1918-01-05
Congress Starts to Work on Railroad Control Legisla-
 tiOn at Once.
SOME OPPOSE PLAN OF
 INDEFINITE CONTROL
Fights Looked For on Other Minor Points Me Ado0 Appoints tom mission to Look Into Wage
 Questions Raises Expected.
tAssoe.iatcd Prc~s.i

tAssoeiatcd PrcSsl
 Washington, Jan. 4-Legislation to rcfulat" the government operation of railroads and to guarantee the car rletS cGmpt tnSation on the ba sis of their average operating income for the last three years was asked Ct congress today by President Wilson in ar address to both houses in joint session. Bills embodying the recom- mcndatlons, and carrying an appro- EraIion of q half billion dollars as q 'rcN Nolving fund, were introduced !m- mediately, and an attempt will ae made to rush them to prompt pas sage
 Expect Some Fight. While the presidents address met with general approval among Demo- erats and Republicans alike, opposi- tion is expected to develop over q provision i'll the administration bill tsat federal control shall continue | after the war indefinitely, or until congress orders otherwise, anG over details of the compensation basis
 Take Up Wage Question. While the legislative wheels were set moving, Director General McAdOo spent busy day planning a solution ,, of labor questions with heads of the 1 four railway brotherhoOds. and final l ly decided to refer the brOtherhOOdS, l pending demands for a general in- crease, to an advisory board of four members to be appointed by him in 8 few days. The board will investigate all phases of the demands and recom- mend a course to Mr. McAdOo. His 1 decision will be effective as to wages 1 from January 1. Tho plan will effect l immediately only the wage request of | the brotherhoods. but demands which | may be made later by other classes of organized labor probably will be hand led in the same way, Mir. McAdOo re- serving the right to make whatever decision he chooses without regard to the recommendation of the advisers. Look for Increases. Some increases, both to the brother hood and to other railway labor, are generally consid idered certain. The di- rector general, in a statement tonight, promised every employe that ''his rights and interests will be justly dealt with" and appealed for hearty spirit of cooperation and enthusiasm from every man.
 Continue Speeding Coal. Efforts to speed up the movement of coal and other freight continued today along with other phases of the railway movement, and special orders were issued providing that 5CO more cars shall be furnished daily to cer- tain specified bituminous and an- thracite mines, mainly in Pennsyl- vania for supply New England These problems forced MT. McAdoo to post pone until tomorrow action on East ern passenger officials recommenda- tions for curtailment of Eastern pas senger schedule, but he is expected to issue orders then for the abandon ment of a number of trains and eimi- nation of parlor and sleeping cars to a great exten.
 Under one provision the president is expected to issue an order trans ferring to Director General McAdoo all functions vested in the chief execu- tive. This will enable the director general to organize a corporation for handling railroad securities in accord ance with the plan now under con sideration. The broad power which the administration would have over the roads is illustrated by the bills provisions that the president might order any extensions or improve ments and advance necessary funds. The procedure in such cases would be for the road to issue the bonds to finance the improvement, and these bonds would be absorbed by the gov ernment revolving fund Director General McAdoo already had indicated that he will not hesitate to order new lines built or adequate terminals or other facilities constructed wherever they are thought necessary. Great significance was seen by congressional leaders in the section providing for the acquisition and operation of ] water transportation facilities. The Presidents Aiire~S. "he president spoke iii full as fnl- lows:
 Gentlemen of the con.l ass-I have asked the privilege of addressing you | in order to report that on the 18th cf i December, last. during the recess If congress. acting through the secre- ] tary of war under the autl,crstv aan- ferred upon me by the act of congress 1 approved August 29, 191o, took pos session and assumed cou.rcl of the railway lines of the countr" and the ] systems of water trans norsai'O1 un (Continued on page five.)