The Washington times., 1918-02-03
Tono,.occ What 1t Did
OO1ISICOO Yesterday
Plans for POspOnng Issues Of Government Ownership Of
Railroads Amended Railroad Bills for House and Senate
Military Affairs Southern Prosperity = A World Record
Broken in COttOnThe SOuths Precedents Against Force
Bills"
By w. v. BYARS.

By w. v
The weeks work done by the In
terstate Commerce Committees of
House and Senate makes immediate
action possible to decide the war
status of the railroads, if Congress
chooses to take it.
AS the original bill has been
amended by both committees, the
bills as now ready for introduction
in House and Senate agree in pro-
visions intended to postpone the is
sue of Government ownership" I'M
til the close Of the war.
Under both bills railroads are still
common carriers" under Govern
ment possession and control, but still
under private ownership, with their
corporations having all the respon-
sibility to the public they have now,
except as it may be specially limited
in any given case, or in general, by
Government control for war pur-
poses.
This is very clearly defined in the
Senate bill, as the committee virtu-,
ally concluded its final revision be-
fore adjourning Saturday after
noon, with the expectation of re-
porting the bill Monday.
The three year average OF oper-
ating expenses is retained. but in all
questions Of rates the Interstate Com
meTce Commission is assured juris-
diction, not merely in an advisory
capacity, but with power to hear and
determine as now. Under Section
II the President may relinquish con-
troll OF any railroad, system, or part
of a system he pleases until July
next. After that date, he may de-
eide on REIMBURSEMENT by agree
ment until eighteen months after the
treaty OF peace, when Federal pos
session and control" is TO terminate.
Under the amended House bill con-
troll is TO terminate within a rea-
sOnable timeI not exceeding two
years" after peace.
In both the House and Senate
bills, the fourteenth section is sup
posed to eliminate the issue OF Gov
eminent ownership by the lex
press declaration" that the act is
emergency legislation for war pur-
poses and is not to be construed as
expressing or prejudicing' the
future policy of the Government.
In this respect and others. con-
have bee b made TO the earn
est demand OF railroad representa-
tives before the committee for an
settlement by agreement,
which will decide the status Of their
securities.
They have intimated a willingness
to be owned" after the close of the
war, under a system which will keep
the Government in possession and
control with responsibility for main
tanning their credit and guaranteeing
their debts. Should they find the
financial markets Of the world
closed" after peace, they may even
urge the Government to use its
commerce powers" to establish |
actual ownership II they are assured
their own price.
Government ownership is thus no |
farther of, II 1t is no nearer, than |
under the bill as originally report |
I'd, with possession and control ar
ranged to continue until otherwise |
ordered by Congress: II is prac-
.ically certain that the bills as re-
lised will have strong railroad sup Z
port. The demand for Government .
ownership is likely to result in hot /
debate, but advocates of public