The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1918-12-13

have not condemned the administra-
ton OF the railroads
Il believe the reason why they do
not wish to meet It now Is that they
know the people OF this country are
not In favor of Government owner
ship and II Is proposed to put Govern
ment ownership over under the guise
OF extension to make a test OF Gov
eminent control for the period OF five
years. Congress delivered the answer
upon this subject last winter and fixed
twenty-one months for legislation to
control the railroads and see no rea-
son why We should change now that
twenty-one months"
Senator Lenroot 1Wis.) at this point
interrupted the speaker TO ask II he
cared TO express an opinion at this
time on the power OF Congress to take
over the use of the railways in time
Of peace without providing for the
payment OF the value Of the property
to the owners.
"Of course Congress cannot take
over the use of the railroads" replied
Senator Kellogg. IL know Of no rea-
son why We should not proceed at
once to this very important question
and why We should not frame a bill
during this session and Il IL cannot be
passed in the three months know of
no reason why there should not be an
extra session or why II should not he
passed In this session OF Congress.
We have ample time for this legisla-
ton before the twenty one months ex-
pire."
The comment on. Director General
McAdoo's letter was OF a most general
character. Most of tho legislators
were taken by surprise at the recon-
mendation so precipitately thrust upon
their attention.
Senator Smith Is. CT OF the Infer
state Commerce Committee was fo..
settling the question now. lie did not
express himself as to Mr.. McAdoo's
five year plan. but said: We have a
patchwork of mosaic and not one CO.
hesive law dealing with the railroads.
This question of transportation is the
most important which faces Congress
to-day, and it is necessary that the
country settle it,"
At the same time Senator Martin
tVa.), Democratic leader in the Sem
ate, voiced bitter opposition to the
McAdoo proposal.
81 am opposed to that plan and am
opposed to permanent Government
ownership OF the railroads." said Sen,
ator Martin. They should be returned
to their owners after necessary legis-
lation has been enacted"
Penrosc Would Ignore McAdoo.
Senator Penrose~ ranking Republi-
can OF the Finance Committee. said:
II am opposed to the proposal Of Mr..
McAdoo. As he is retiring from the
department. do not see that his op!n-
ion should he entitled TO any consider
alton. In my pinion. he has brought
about such state Of utter demoraliza-
ton on the railroads and express COM
panies that he has set the cause OF
Government ownership back fifty
years. I am in receipt Of letters from
men whose business necessitatcs their
shipping many packages of merchan-
disc by express telling me that when
their packages are lost nowadays they
cannot even get acknowledgment of
their complaints addressed to the Di-
rector-G General of Railroads"
Senator Underwood. member of the
Interstate Commerce Committee. said 4:
II am holding my mind open as best
] can until the committee, which will
meet on Thursday, has given both
sides Of the hearing. | think it would