Tulsa daily world. [volume] (Tulsa, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1905-1919, 1918-12-03
CONGRESS TO STUDY
RAILROAD SITUATION
Joint Committee Is Expected to IIc
Created Ia Inquire Into Plans
for DisTOslng Of Them.
MODIFIED PLANS ADVOCATED
Senators Express Favor for Plans to
Retain Large Measure OF DIrrC-
tiOn Under Private Ownership

WASHINGTON, Dec. 2-Crca-
| ton Of a Joint congressional com
mittee, consisting of members Of
both houses, to inquire into the rail-
road situation, soon will be sought.
Il was said to-day. after President
Wilson had advocated this plan is his
address before congress This COM
mittee would call railway executives
labor leaders. financial representa-
tivcs, officials Of the railroad admin
istrHtion, and members Of the inter-
state commerce commission 20 give
| their views as TO the best policies for
future management Of the rail
lines Tho committee then would at
tempt TO formulate a plan Tor some
sort OF unified control and common
management which most students Of
railroad matters are said 20 adYo-
cate, regardless Of whether the gov
eminent retains or relinVuishes It's
political control.
The need for haste In this pro-
gram was explained today by tho
president and emphasized later By
railroad administration officials who
admitted they anticipate c'difficulty ~
carrying out plans for acquiring new
equipment, distributing II among
lbhbN dl'ls HldhlUE 'Nl'lHlN' IN
provements contemplated for next
year. without stretching the govern
ment's war powers beyond the point
where railroad companies are will
ling to cooperate
Many members said Il was doubt
full II so important and debatable n
question could be decisiveiy set
tied during the congestion OF the
short session
Prominence Of the railroad Ques-
ton in the minds OF congressman was
evidenced by many statements on
the subject Issued after the presi
dents address Chairman Smith Of
the senate interstate commerce COM
miitoe predicted that "a modified
and perhaps radically modified plan
Of private control would result" He
gave no details Of his views
Senator Kellogg Of Minnesota. re-
publican. urged immediate congress
| sional study Of the question and
"stroDR government control regu-
lating issues of securities and con
troll over service" He opposed re-
leasing Of the roads and return to
old conditions without further legis-
! lation.
Senator Watson Of Indiana. repuh-
|
roads should he "nationalized' under
government control with private
ownership, but operated by pooling
as a unit under a common equip
ment zone plan.
Immediate action ny congress in
| dealing with tho situation also was
urged by Senator CummnS OF Iowa.
republican. who agreed with the
president that the railroads should
not be returned under the old sys-
| tenn.
Senator Penrose Of Pennsylvania,
republican. said the voice of con
gress and the people would he
heard "in unmistakable terms after
The railroad committee has had full
| power to investigate the orders and
methods under which the railroad
system of the country has been
nearly ruined and certainly demor-
allied"
Government control 80 as to pro-
tect the public" but with retention
OF private ownership was predicted
by Senator Sherman OF Illinois, re-
publican.