The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1918-02-20
CONGRESS PUTS ]
IN BUSY DAY ON
RAILROAD BILL
Every Effort Bent to Expedition
Of Action on Administra-
~ -" ton Measure a''i' w.
RATE INCREASE EXPECTED
Townsend Says Support Is Being
Gained Under False Mis-
representations ~
RATE INCREASE EXPECTED

Washington, Feb. 20.--COngress yes
terday bent itself almost exclu
sively toward expediting the admins
tration bill to govern federal opera
ton, OF railroads. u La .
4 uebate on the measure was begun
In the house and continued in the SEN
ate, with leaders of both bodies plan
ming its disposition before the end OF
the week The senate agreed to. begin
voting on amendments Thursday, ex-
pecting passage Of the bill, late that
night, or Friday, In the, house it Is
planned to close general debate Thurs
day and pass the measure at least
before adjournment Saturday.
a, Considerable amendment OF both
the senate and house committee
drafts before final action was fore
cast by today's discussion.
The principal addresses in the SEN
ate today were by Senators Johnson
of California and Townsend of Michi-
gan, republicans, both OF whom OPP
posed the measure as now drawn. In
the house Representative Sims of Ten
nesseo and Representative Stephens
of Nebraska, democrats, cnamploned
the draft OF the house committee.
Government ownership Of railroads
was advocated by the California sena-
tor and by Representative Stephens.
TOWNSEND SEES ERRORS
Senator Townsend pointed out
many alleged defects in the bill, as
sorting that 1t was not understood by
many committee members, and that
the railroads are supporting the meas
5ure in expectation Of rate increase.
He said he doubted whether the gov
eminent could enforce the provision
prohibiting railroads from paying
dividends higher than their regular
rates.
81 Representative Sims, urged particu-
slarly the adoption Of provisions giving
the president power to establish rates
and to retain control of the carriers
two years after peace is declared. He
asserted that government control
should disrupt private management as
little as possible. ~
Senator Norris criticised what he
termed excessive compensation pro
yided for the railroads, and said the
provisions for rate making by the
president was unnecessary and un-
wise"
n In neither body today was there a
large attendance for the discussion.
Under the terms of the senate's agree
ment to begin work on amendments
Thursday, debate will be limited to
10 minutes for each senator from to
s 6 p. M, and after that to five min
utes. Chairman Smith Of the senate
committee sought, but failed to secure
an agreement definitely fixing final
vote Thursday. --.-
- BILL NEEDS AMENDMENT
IT think it is apparent that the bill
needs amendments" Senator Under
wood Of Alabama declared. There is
no bill know of that has been pend
ing since the war began, that so Wit
ally affects the interests of the Amer
lean people" srrr ~ .s....
:. Tomorrow Senator Sherman Of I'LL
nois, republican, will speak in sup
port of the bill; Senator Underwood
OF Alabama, democrat. will discuss
proposed changes, and Senator Poin-
dexter of Washington, republican, will
advocate permanent government own
ership. ~