Evening journal., 1918-02-22
OWNERSHIP
Of RAILS Defeated
Senate, by Vote of 81 to 10,
Rejects Plan Sponsored
by Johnson
ALL AMENDMENTS
ARE VOTED DOWN

WASHINGTON. Feb. 22-The Senate
yesterday voted convincingly to stand
by the Committee on Interstate Com
merce in its redraft Of the admlnistra-
tion railway control bill. There were
amendments introduced and discussed
under the ten-minuie rule and then
voted on, but not one OF them stood
the test OF Senate approval with the ex-
ceptlon OF a change proposed by Senator
Rob 'nson (Ark.l, a member of,the COM
mlttee, which was hardly Of vital mo-
ment
The forces OF Government ownership,
(which had rallied to their standard one
or two Senators who favor Indefinite
Feieralized control Of the transportation
facilities Of the country, were beaten
BY the convincing vote Of 81 TO 10 when
an amendment was proposed by Senator
johnson (Cal) restoring the original
phraseology Of the bin by the elimlna-
Jon OF the proposed elimination 10
eighteen months Of Federal con-
troll after the close OF the war.
The Senators who stod by the effort
for at least 8 season Of peace time con-
troll Of the roads by the Government
were Ashurst tAriz). Gronna IN. d,
Johnson Call, johnson IS d.. Jones
CWash.), Kenyon lal, Kirby Ark,
Norris (Neb), Phelan (Cal.l and Poin-
dexter (Wash.l
The amendment Of Senator Robinson
provided that IN the calculatian Of cap
ltalization 20 determine the amount OF
income the government shall guaran-
tee there shall be eliminated from the
capitalization all Improvements and bet
fernnenis added by the railways between
June 80 and December 81, 1917. This
amendment carried, 44 10 "a.
Senator Cumminss Amendment pro-
vidlng for the curtailment OF the guar
antee Of eighty-six Of the leading rail-
cvays was defeated by a vote OF 50 70
q9 Senator Cummins had estimated
that this amendment would cut down
Abe necessary total Of the guarantee
BY more than si73.OO0O00 The votes
favorable TO his amendment came who'll
~ from the more radical element IN
che Senate and the division was not
upon party lines.
The Senate at 9 o'clock. under agree
ment. recessed until today. when II will
consider another amendment Of SEN
ator Cummins.
This amendment provides that fol-
lowing the peace proclamation the
President shall appoint a commission
Of nve to administer the railways pend
ing definite legislation by Congress
looking to restoration OF the lines to
peace conditions. This will be voted on
carly tomorrow.
In the earlier debate on the bill
senator Lewis (Iil.) gave vent TO some
pesslmistic views as 10 the future Of
the United States, and spoke a vale
dictory TO the State governments,
which, under the tendency Of the times,
be thought was becoming obsolete.
Senator Lewis's views did not meet
with so cordial a reception by the Re-
publican leaders as 20 nav have ex-
pected Senator Knox (Pa) was quick
10 take Issue With him.
"May ] not inquire II the same rea-
sons will not always exist for the
States creation that existed at the
time the States were created?" he
asked.
Senator Lewis insisted that Supreme
Court decisions OF recent years had
made the States virtual provinces" Of
the nation
The House deported an agreement to-
day TO wind up general debate on the
railroad bin at o'clock, and then be-
gin consideration OF the bill section by
section, with no prospect OF voting on
It's lnal passage before next week Re
publicans are planning amendments to
be offered. the most Important 70 which
will be the effort to strike from the
bin the provision vesting Dlrector-Gen-
eral McAdoo with the rate making
power for the period OF federal opera.
tion. An effort will be made also TO
cut the period Of federal control after
the war from two years TO one year.
Representative Esch wis.,. ranking
Republican Of the Interstate Commerce
Committee. touched both Of these SEQ
tions in a speech opposing them as now
written. He said the standard return
guaranteed 10 the railroads under the
agreement with the government is ex-
cessive. Mr.. Esch declared that the
minority firmly believed the rate max
Ing power should remain with the In
terstate Commerce Commission, 1.-THE
body under our government that has
had the regulation OF railroads includ.
Ing their rates, In charges"
Representative Sims (Tennl. chair.
man OF the committee. asked Mr.. Esch
~ r-A NAN ANo0AAAlo u NlAH NUuMLIN NhN
been placed In the hands Of the Presl.
dent it would be wise 10 hesitate Il
grant the rate making power.
III the gentleman's theory ls cor.
reel" Mr. Esch replied, then the Prest
dent should be empowered 30 flx inter
nal revenue taxes and duties on i'm
ports and Congress should abandon al
Of its powers TO the President"
statement vigorously. with some Demo
Gratis joining in.
Wouldn't you grant the Presiden
mat power II necessary to win bht
war;" Mr.. Sims demanded
representative Gordon lOhio) leape,
10 bis feet and shouted: III you di,
you would violate your oath OF once.
q nn-Inlan nur...n