Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1918-12-12
CALL TO CONGRESS
FOR QUICK ACTION
AS TORA|LROADS
Mr.. McAdoo's Suggestion for
Extension of Federal Con-
troll SO Construed.
GIVES A HINT OF HAVING
ADMINISTRATION BACKING
LEGISLATION Enacted Now Could
Be Repealed at Next Session.
Question of Legality.


Question of Legality.
At the Capitol today Secretary Nc
Adoo's suggestion that federal control
of railways be extended for five years
was construed as hurry-up call for
| legislative action on the railroad prob
lem. It was recalled that twice in his
address to Congress, December 5, Pres
ident Wilson impressed upon the leg
islators the necessity for prompt ac-
ton and intimated that failing to Sc
cure legislation he would turn the
roads back to private control.
So men in Congress feel today that
they are again admonished to take up
at once the untangling OF the railroad
knot. tied up by them as a war emer-
gency proposition. Some of them had
thought that the question might possibly
go over to an extraordinary session OF
Congress; that this Congress could
"sidestep' the issue. although 1t was
this Congress which brought about
the condition.
Could Reverse Action.
Il was pointed out today that pas
sage of a resolution now to continue
federal control for five years would. In
fact, be only the unshouldering OF re-
sponsibiney for the hour. by this Con-
sress, since the action can be reversed
as soon as the next Congress taxes
hold, if a majority desire. WITHIN
four months it is expected that an e1-
traordinary session of the SiHty-sixtn
Congress will have been called or pc
meeting, the republicans in control IN
| both branches, and an act or the pres
| ent Congress, continuing the koaos
under federal control corid be repealeo
| and a substitute proposed.
Secretary McAdoos suggestion was
regarded as significant, however. In
that it gives the democrats IN Con-
gress hint of a definite administrator
program, which can be adopted az
| democratic party policy for the pres
ent. AS stated by Mr.. McAdoo, as
serted by him to have the Presidents
sanction, this program differs from
the Presidents own suggestion IN MS
recent address to. Congress. The
alternatives, IAN intermediate course
of modified private control under q
more unified and Affirmative public
| regulation" etc.
Means Absolute Control.
This latest suggestion. which now
appears to have the stamp OF execu-
tive and administrative approval oL
course. is quite different from that
proposition. The federal control now
operative and proposed to be conttn-
| ued for five years is absolute. as every
one knows, imperative and dlctator1at'
| without recourse.
The question is likely to be raised
at once. it was said today, whether
Congress. legislating for hve years OF
peace will have the power to con-
tinue legislation warranted by wars
emergencies: whether the continuing
act would be constitutional. 1t was.
declared that the extent OF control
tacitly assented to in the face OF the
emergency is Of vastly wider scope
than might be acquiesced in during
| times of peace. ="
Calls Meeting Of Committee. -
Chairman Ellison B. Smith Of ths
Senate interstate commerce commtt-
tee today called meeting OF his COM
mittee for next Thursday, wnen no
| will propose to the committee that it
outline a policy with relation to the
railroads Secretary McAdoo's recon-.
mendation for a continuance OF gov
ernment control will be submitted to
! the committee. t.
Senator Smith said that he was
firmly convinced of one thing. and
| that was, If the roads are to be re-
turned to their private owners legts.
J lation must be enacted to reform the
system.
1--WE have a patchwork Of mosaic
and not one cohesive law dealing
with the railroads." said Senator
Smith. This question of transporta-
ton is the most important which
| faces Congress today, and it 10 neces-
sary that the country settle It,.
Senator Martin Opposes Plan. =
Senator Martin of Virginia, demo-
! cratic leader of the Senate, announced
himself as absolutely opposed to the
recommen ndation Of Secretary McAdoo
that the roads be retained under gov
| ernment control for a period OF dye
years.
opposed to permanent government
Senator Martin They should be re-
turned to their owners after neces-
sary legislation has been enacted"
Senator Watson of Indiana. mem-
ber Of the interstate commerce com.
to the retention Of the roads by tho
government. He asserted. howsver.
That legislation is needed 70 enable
the railroads of the country to meet
the nations needs.
"President Wilson came before Con-
eress Just before he sailed for Europe
and announced that he had no policy
With regard to the railroads to sug-
gest to Congress, mere:J urging tnat
Congress take up the matter ana as
nose of It," said Senator watson. fet
while the President is at sea his SON
in-law comes forward with a recon-
mendation regarding the railroads.
which ne says the President approves.
MT. Pomerene "From Missouri"
Senator Pomerene Of Ohio. another
aember of the Interstate conn"eFSs
st do not live In Missouri. but on
+hie question (of Mr.. McAdoo's recon-.
mendatfonJ come from Missouri"
THE statement Of Mr.. ,McAdoo to the
ie1ect that this extension would take
fha railroad question out OF politics
was received with considerable sur
Enrfss by some members OF the senate.
~.s pointed out that during the
Irscent campaign the director general
~ railroads, following In the FOOT
Stens Of the President. issued an ap-
nea3 for the election only OF demo-
rrsfio senators and representatives.
ana that individual letters were sent
to ali employees OF the railroads In
various states il not IN all states, by
members OF the railroad union urging
the employees to vote in accordanee
4 z6@f1ana6 lsa1k r. q
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