Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1918-12-05
FAVOR RADICAL
R.R. CHANGES
|. c. c., However, Says the
Time Is Not Ripe for
Concrete Proposals
NATIONS NEEDS FIRST
Old Conditions of Individual
Competition Frowned Upon
by the Commission
NATIONS NEEDS FIRST
81 Associated Press
Washington, Dec. 8.

Washington, Dec. 3.
Regardless OF whether railroads finally
60 back to private management or re-
main in the hands of the Government,
rad cal changes should be made in their
methods and theories of operation to
provide n partial merger under some
sort OF government regulation, the Inter-
! state Commerce Commission says IN its
annual report. made public today.
The commission believes the time IS
rot ripe 70 recommend concrete pro-
posals for legislation relating TO the
future policy toward railroads, but says
whatever be the nations decision there
Should be provision for complete unfit
cation of the railways in war time, par
tial merger in ordinary times limitation
of railway construction to public neCes-
sity and systematic announcement Of
the development of inland waterways
and their coordination with rail- car
riers.
Opposed to Old Conditions
In other words, the commission is op.
posed to restoration Of the old condi-
tions of individual competition in which
pooling Of traffic was forbidden by law,
and to the building of new lines without
proof to the Government that they are
economically necessary.
IL it is finally decided TO restore rail
roads to private mana cement, says the
commission, there should be legislation
10 permit their corporation, emancipa-
ton of railway operation from financial
dictatiou, Government regulation Of Sc
curity issues clearing away of the eX-
isting twilight zone between the author.
tty of state and Fedora authorities IL
railroad supervision, efficient use OF
,f 10 u.
nails.
On the other hand, if the policy OF
government ownership should he adopted
the principal questions TO he considered
are: The price to he paid for the roads
means Of preventing the railroads from
being mado sources Of revenue 10 the
Government, and also to maintain then
as sef-supporting measures t" define
carefully the responsibility of the rail
way administration to Congress arc
other Federal and state authorities
guarantees against Intrusion of partisan
politics iuto railway management ant
creation Of Il tribunal to settlement o.
controversies over railroad matters,
Regulation Suggested
p Some sort Cr Government regulation
Is suggested hy the commission in con
tiycs % future policy which may be sc
7 forth by d'fferent interests in the neaI
futura These alternatives are: Con
t'nuniicn Of the present system "f gov
acr1n'cut control with private oWncrsn 2
public ownership with private operation
rrvatc operation with government rcsu
lItiou nrd gGarantees. complete pFlVat
control and ownership and complete puD
lie o'"ncrsIiD and operation.
TIL, report deals at length with tn
s. .rrhcaval Of railroaa relations caused b,
the war and the Governments assunp
ton OF operation. and the relations o
tho Interstate Commerce Commission L
Director General Mc.Adoo and the rail
road administration. The commission
has co-6pc.ated fully with the Govern
mcnt management. says the report. bu
the commission still retains its author
ity to review rates Initiated by the di
rector general
Railroad valuation work of the com
EMISSION, which will become Of great i'm
iortance in case of Government pur
chase. Is proceeding with little inter
ference on account OF the war Safet
work has been assumed partly by tn
railroad administration, but educationa
work 10 being continued throughout tn
country. Tho commission in the laa
SeuT HAS llldVS great SliItco III SSeHiii
TO promote uniform rate classiication'
and has undertaken number Of othe
Investigations of rates and practices.
The report including the statemen
concerning future policies toward rail
roads. is signed by all the commissioner
except George W. Anderson, who re
---cently resigned to accept another Fed
eral appointment Others are: Winthro
NJ. Daniels. chairman; Edgar t. Clarl
James $. Harlan, Charles C. McChort
1Altlasar II. Meyer, Henry c. Hal
Clyde E. Aitchisor and Robert ". Voc
ley.
Future of the Railroads
The commissions statement oil the fu
ture of the railroads follows:
N THE conditions, without precedent Q
parallel, which the war, has produce
ROW press upon the Congress matters c
the gravest national and internationa
concern.
"While We do not deem the nTeser
conditions and moment opportune /
which to recommend concrete proposal
for legislation, we may indicate certai
( lines of inquiry which must be pursue
In order to beach sound conclusions.
"Whatever Vine of policy is determine
upon, the fundamental ann or purpos
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