New-York tribune., 1918-02-22
Vote fer Indefinite Control

The ten Senator's supporting the pro
posai TO rcinsert the original Adminis-
F,ration provision for indefinite govern
ncnt operation were:
Democrats -AshUrst. Johnson, of
South Dakota; Kirby and Phelan.
Republicans Gronna, Johnson. OF
CALIFORNIA; Jones, Washington; Ken
yon. Norris and PoindeXter.
The vote was accepted rs decisive.
Senator Johnson. Of California, who led
advocates of government ownership,
said tonight that ne did not expect to
renew his effort.
Senator's supporting the Cummins
amendment were:
Democrats: Ashurst, Gore, Iardwick,
Henderson, Hitchcock, Hollis, Johnson,
Of South Dakota; Kendrick, King, Kir-
By, Reed, Thomas, Trammell, and
Vardaman.
Republicans: Cummins, Gronna,
Johnson, Of California: Jones, Of
Washington; Kenyon, McNary, Norris,
Sutherland, and Townsend.
An amendment by Senator Robinson,
Of Arkansas to eliminate provision
granting carriers an additional allow
ance. aggregating about $6,500,0 600 an
Nually, for monoy spent on improve
pdments last year. was adopted, 44 to "a.
On Il viva vocc the Senate rejected
Senator Cummins's amendment to
place government control after the war
N board of five men. Mr.. Cummins
said he would seek a record vote on
the proposal Tomorrow
Al amendment offered by Senator
frclnghuysen, Of New Jersey, and
adopted, provides that the nov law
snail not Interfere with state taxation
Of railroads.
To Discuss Rate Fixing
In the final contest Tomorrow. in the
Senate. tho provision allowing the
resident TO initiate rates, sub iect to
approval by the Interstate Commerce
commission, is expected to be the prn-
cipd! controversy, Late to-day Sen
ator PolndaXter introduced an amend
ment providing that the commissions
authority shall not he interfercd with
except that the President, if necessary.
may supersedc the COMMISSIONS or
ders.
Senator Lewis declared The Admin
stration bill was forcrunncr of gov
eminent control over various public
utilities and predicted that the ques-
ton would be the great domestic issue
Let us not deceive ourselves as to
The meaning of this measure" Senator
's~wis declared. This is the beginning
Of the government taking the railroads
"a Il government agency The roads
viii never be permitted to return to
the former state OF personal control for
private benefit. At the same time this
country takes over the railroads. it viii
take the telegraph and telephone privi-
Particularly the lands of coal and oil ,
and put these under government Gircc-
ton
All agencies Of this nature in this
lepublic. necessary to the public vel
'arc o. man, Will be taken by the gov
Fnment as necessary protection Of
the republic"
Railroads Confessed Inability
Tie railroads, Senator Lewis de
cared. confessed their inability 70
meet the situation, and by surrender
.i'g TO the government admitted that
Uac orc power capable to carry on the
YORK under the existing conditions was
me government itself.
ne government now conducts The
road and directs them as the proof
VI ITS power and ability TO do So" he
poagf'eG. ro.,l private ownership of rail
roads roads failed US for the purpose of
Sendns supplies to ships or for trans
lVrt W, OF soldiers for foreign service.
mat would be the calamity under
ariYate ownership If enemies were at
cor co gates and in possession of our
Sc, net US announce that the United
..sses Is government and shall as
~ ~ governmental responsibility in
r,GIsxec'ing r. all public agencies of human
~.',3re from being a monopoly Of pri-
= 'ois IS done. Senator Lewis said,