The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1918-03-08
CONGRESS AGREES
ON RAILROAD BILL
Conference Adopts Compromise Meas
ure Which VIII BE Reported
'Se4ss sssss ssssWas xraascsass.
PRESIDENT FIXES RATES
Interstate Commerce Commission,
However, May Override Him After
Hearing--Governme in Control
for II Months After War.

Washington. March Passage OF
the administration railroad bill. taking
all lines under government control. La
expected by congressional leaders by
the end of the week
Final agreement was reached by
eonterees on a compromise measure
this afternoon
Their report wifi be submitted to
both houses tomorrow and Chairman
smith IN the senate and Sims In the
house VIII ask immediate action.
They hope to celebrate the week end
by placing the measure before Presi-
dent Wilson for his signature
The compromise rate making sec
ton causes considerable speculation
1t provides that President Wilson may
initiate rates. but that the interstate
commerce commission may overrule
him after a hearing. However. the
presidents rates stand while the hear
ing is being conducted. and the COM
mission, In arriving at it's final de-
ctsion, must take into consideration
the facts that the roads are under
unified control and the presidents re-
sponsthiltty to that make them a finan-
cial success.
This compromise, written by Soma
tor Robinson, of Arkansas. followed
an animated argument between the
senate members of the conference.
who held out for the interstate com
merce commissions final power, and
the house, which was equally insistent
for the presidents authority.
The roads will be held twenty~one
months after thu war--a compromtse
between the senatc's eighteen months
and the houses two years
Wants Government Ownership.
Representative Cary. of wisconsin
announced this afternoon ne would
move that the roads be held ninety
nine years after the close OF the war
After seeking n record vote on that
he viii move for straight government
ownership.
Both this attempt, however. and the
efforts az amendment which Repub-
iieans will make are more to make per
manent records OF congressional SEN
timent than in the hope OF success.
by the rules of the house the con-
ference report must lie on the table
for ono day after being reported.
unanimous consent will bs asked for
the waving of this rule If this is
denied--as expeeted--psssas e of the
bill Is nevertheless possible by Satur-
day night.
The text OF the Robinson compro-
mise on rate making follows;
That during the period of federal
control whenever In his opinion the
public interest requires the president
may initiate rates, fare, charges. clas-
si1catlous, regulations and practices
by Ming the same with the interstats
commerce commission, which said
rates, fares, charges, clRssifications
regulations and practices shall not be
suspended by the commission pending
Anal determination
Said rates shall be fair, reasonable
and just and shall take effect at such
time and upon such notice as no NAV
direct, hut the interstate commerce.
commission shall. upon complaint, en-
ter upon hearing concerning the Just
ness and reasonablaness OF SO much OF
any order of the president as estab-
lishes CIR changes any rate, fare,
charge. classification. regulation or
practice OF any carrier under FEEDER al
control and may consider all the facts
.and circumstances existing at the time
t(,onfinued an EAxanth Bne~.N