Fort Mill times. [volume] (Fort Mill, S.C.) 1892-current, 1918-01-10
ASKS FOR
new LEGISLATION
WANTS TO REGULATE THE GOV.
EMINENT OPERATION OF
RAILROADS IN U. 8.
IS APPROVED BY CONGRESS
Asks That Carrier Be Guaranteed
Compensation on Basis OF Average
Operating Income for the Last
Three Years.

Operating income for the Last
Three Years.
Washington.-Legislation to regu-
late the government operation of rail-
roads and to guarantee the carriers
compensation on the basis of their
average operating income for the
last three years was asked OF Congress
by. President Wilson in an address to
both houses in joint session. Bills
embodying his recommendations and
carrying an appropriation OF half
billion dollars as revolving fund"
were introduced Immediately and an
attempt will be made to rush them
to prompt passage.
While the presidents address met
with general approval among demo.
Gratis and republicans alike, opposi-
tion is expected to develop to a pro-
vision in the administration bill that
federal control shall continue after
the war indefinitely or until congress
orders otherwise and other details of
the comper sation basis.
The plan will affect Immediately
only the wage requests OF the broth
erhoods but demands which may be
made later by other classes of organic
ed labor probably will be handled In
the same way. Mr.. McAdoo, reserving
the right to make whatever decision
he chooses without regard to recon-.
mendations OF the advisers
Some increases. both to the broth.
erhoods and to other railway labor.
are generally considered certain. The
director general in statement prom,
ised every employee that his rights
and interests will be justly dealt
with" and appealed for a hearty
spirit OF enthusiasm and cooperation
from every one.
Efforts to speed the movement of
coal and other freight continued along
with the legislative and labor phases
OF the railway movement and special
orders were issued providing that 500
additional cars shall be furnished daily
to a certain specified bituminous and
anthracite mines. mainly in PennsyI.
vania, for supplying New England,
These problems forced Mr.. Nc
Adoo to postpone action on eastern
passenger traffic officials recommen-
dations for curtailment OF passenger
schedules but he Is expected to issue
orders then for abandonment of q
number OF trains and elimination of
parlor and sleeping cars to great
extent
Mr.. MeAdoo explained today that
although no general provisions can
be made under the law for exempting
railroad employees from the draft. he
will not hesitate to appeal to local
exemption boards to defer the calling
OF these workers IL the boards OF their
own violition do not display a ten.
dency to regard the railroads as an
essential industry from which EN-.
ployees should not be taken for mill.
tary service.
When the president concluded, the
administration bill was introduced I'm
the senate by Senator Smith, of South
Carolina, ranking Democratic mem
Der OF the interstate commerce COM
mittee. In addition to approppriating
T"N0'"O"'"VV anu LOT the
compensation basis under which the
government guarantees an aggregate
return OF some 5000 100000 a year,
the measure sets forth in detail the
conditions upon which government
operation is to be carried on.
Under the last provision the pres.
ident is expected to issue. an order
transferring to Director General Nc.
Adoo all functions vested in the, chief
executive. This will enable the tlirec.
tor general to organize a corporation
for handling railroad securities in ac.:
cordance with plan now under con-
sideration. ="
Railroad officials are expected to
urge number Of notifications of the
accounting method prescribed by the
bill for reaching the standard return.
basis, but officials expect the scheme
as outlined in the bill probably will
be followed in the main. Some dis.
cussion is looked for over the bills
provision that new federal taxes un4
der the war revenue act are not to
be charged against the revenue In
computing the standard return as are
ordinary taxes. The effect of this
will be to require railroads to pay
war taxes out OF their governmental
compensation. ..