The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1918-02-21
FINISHING FIRST
Twin The WAR"
+ CONGRESS- BILL
Railroad Control Measure Put
to Final Vote Tonight.
Supreme Rate Making Power Is
the Main Feature in 1t.
REVOLVING FUND 500 MILLION
Increase Facilities All Over
Country, Is the Plan.
Compensation on Basis of Net
Operating Income.
REVOLVING FUND 500 MILLION

Washington. Feb. 21.-Here are the out
standing features of the railroad bills now
the center of congressional attention;
The supreme rate-making power given to
the president by the house bill and to the
interstate commerce commission by the
Limitation of federal control to two years
after the war by the house BILL and
Compensation on the basis of the net
operating income of the last three years
revolving fund of $5Oo-OOO'OOo to IN
Roads to be taxed as heretofore. Not
exempt from excess profits tax.
Washington, Feb 21-Congress to-
day put the finishing touches on the
railroad control bill-the first big
win the war" measure to be passed
at this session.
The senate began voting on amend
ments with strong hope of getting a
final vote on the bill itself tonight.
From D. m. today debate VIII be
limited. Senator Lewis Illinois, IS the
only senator with a set speech TO
make Debate and disposition OF the
large number OF amendments will take
many hours, with five and ten minute
speeches on each.
Senator Cummins has nearly a dozen
amendments, designed to reduce COM
pensation to the railroads and to de-
fine governmental powers more spe-
officially than the committee bill. Sem
ator Townsend of Michigan has Of
fered a complete substitute bill, while
a score of other changes will be
sought. There is no doubt the bill will
be passed and Senator Smith of South
Carolina, who has charge OF it, pre-
dicted today it will not be greatly
amended.
Sign IL Next Week.
The house will end general debate
on the measure and begin considering
it unde- five minute rule. Prospects
for its passage this week are bright.
The conference between the two
houses should take but a few days and
indications today were that President
Wilson will get the measure for sigma
ture late next week
Meantime preparations went on
apace to speed up other war measures.
Secretary of the Treasury McAdoo is
re writing several provisions of the
war finance corporation bill covering
exceptional cases and will return the
measure to the finance committee to-
day.
Senator Overman's Subcommittee
took up the empowering bill this
morning. hoping to agree on it.
Opposition to House Draft
Opposition to the house draft of the
administration railroad bill, particu-
larry its provisions for compensa ting
the roads, determining rates and fix
ing the period of government reten-
by Representative Esch OF Wisconsin,
ranking Republican member of the in
terstate commerce committee.
Representative Esch, speaking for
the minority of the committee, de-
clared the proposed rate of compensa-
ton is too high; that the power to mi
tiate rates should rest with the inter-
state commerce commission rather
than with the president, and the roads
should be returned to their owners one
year or less after the proclamation of
peace instead of two years as pro-
posed by the house bill.
Owners of our railroads should be
content to receive a guarantee of pay
mept of all fixed charges" Represen-
tative Esch said, including operating
expenses. taxes and interest and regu-
lar dividends on outstanding stock.
Any surplus above such payment
ought either to go to the government
TO aid it in meeting the guarantee or
be equally divided between the owners
and the government.
The minority also believe that the
rate-making power should remain in
the hands of the interstate commerce