The sun., 1918-12-12
People Have Right to Long
er Test of Unified Opera
tiOn, He Asserts.
UNREST is INCREASING
Friction Develops Between
Federal and State Au.
thOrity.
WILSON BACKS APPEAL
Director General Disclaims
Being Committed to Gov
ernment Ownership.
WILSON BACKS APPEAL
Specie, Despateh TO THE sus.


snce of the present form Of Govern
ment control and operation of the
railroads, with certain necessary
notifications in the law, for n five
year period, beginning January 1 and
ending January 1, 1924, was recon-
mended to Congress to-day by Di-
rector.General McAdoo.
Mr.. McAdoo offers this as the only
solution of the question as 10 what
to do with the railroads. Con-
tinuance Of the present control under
existing law, he points out, is mani
festly impractlcable. He advances
reasons to prove that 1t would result
In disaster TO the transportation sys-
ten and consequently to the country.
On the other hand he declares only
three months remain Of the present
session of Congress, a time too brief
IN which to pass constructive leglsla-
ton for the return of the roads under
law providing for better Govern
ment control.
Reasons for Five Year Test.
He suggests five year test period
Of Government control for several
reasons, chief of which are:
1t would take the railroads out Of
politics.
1t would give ample time for a
test OF unified operation to show its
worth.
II would settle unrest in railroad
personnel. among officers and en-
ployees alike. and would still the ap-
prehensions OF the security holders.
II would offer opportunity for con-
Gtructive building up of the roads
10 a big efficiency by the necessary
backing OF Government control and
the possibility II would afford OF
planning improvements ahead.
It would give the public oppor-
tunity TO study the question and see
the results OF unified operation
under normal conditions, so that
public sentiment would crystalline
ment away from the eve OF a Presi-
Dental election.
Government Ownership Question.
Mr.. McAdoo makes 1t a point to de-
clare himself as not convinced on the
question OF Government ownership
end not prepared to say 1t would be
advisable. He does not believe that
continuance of Government control on
better basis would necessarily lead
70 Government ownership.
In conclusion. Mr.. McAdoo issues a
warning that as the present control
cannot continue without disaster, It
will he necessary, unless Congress acts,
20 turn the roads back to private
operation and control Immediately.
Notwithstanding the possible losses.
the disruption and the legal entangle-
'nents such a course would entail. He
adds: THE President has given me
permission to say that this conclusion
aocords with his own view OF the
matter"
It Is known that Mr.. McAdoo has
been considering for many days the
s3dSahility Of submitting recommen-
datiors to Congress on the railroad
eituation. lie hesitated because he
d'd not wish II to appear that he
was voluntarily advancing his own
IDEAS on tho subject TO the exclusion
~ Congressional or other study. He
was convinced by his friends that
Congress and the country should have
the benefit OF his judgment as TO the
wisost course to pursue in view OF
his experience with the problems in
VOWED and the knowledge this eXpe-
r!ence had brought him.
Unrest DeGins to Appear.
Another influencing factor was that
unrest is beginning to appear all down
The line in railroad operation. Off
GERS and men are wondering what
!s ~ become OF them and how things
ore TO turn out. The Director Cen
eral feared for the discipline and
morale that he considers absolutely
essential TO successful operation OF the
transportation system.
Mr.. McAdoo is doing his utmost to
ENep up the pressure OF efficiency on
The roads. but Is finding a serious
Handicap in the discussion by every in
'rcat ot what is ultimately 10 happen
70 the railroads. He is convinced that
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