Norwich bulletin., 1918-12-13
Railroad Executives
 Opposed to McAdOO
In Extension of Government Control of Railroads Until January, 1924.

Philadelphia, Dec 12.-Railroad executives representing 12J roads and 92 per cent. of the mileage of the country tonight gave 4out a formal statement in which they declared that Director General McAdoos suggestion that the government retain control of the railroads until January, 1924 would simply lead to delay and con fusion, demoralizat ton of the organi- zation of the roads both on their cor porate and operating side and defer lYdefinitely satisfactory settlement Of the railroad problem.
 The executives, the statement said, have reached the conclusion that there is sufficient time under the terms of the present act to fully consider the railroad situation in all it's aspects and arrive at plan that would be just to the country.
 The statement was given out by Thomas Dewitt Cuy1er, Philadelphia, chairman of the railway executives advisory committee. now known asthe AsSociation of Railway Executives The association is here considering problems that will arise in connection with the return of the railroad prop critics to the private owners. The statement follows:
 "The standing committee of the As sociation of Railway Executives have considered the letter of the director general to the chairman of the In terstate Commerce committees of the senate and house. and have reached the conclusion that there is sufficient time under the term of the present act to fully consider the railroad sit uation in all i,E aspects and to arrive at a plan that would be just to the country as represented by it's shippers and the public at large and on the other hand to the security holders and shareholders and employees of the railroads. They are in full accord with the president in his statement as follows
 The only conclusion that I am | ready to state with confidence is, that i it would be a disservice alike to the 1 country and to the owners of the rail- l railroads to return to the old condi | lions unmodified. These are condi- l tions of restraint without develop ment. There is nothing affirmative or | helpful about them. What the coun | try chiefly needs is that all these means of transportation should be de-
 veloped. it's railways, it's waterways | it's highways and it's countryside i roads. Some new efE ent of policy is l therefore ecessary-necessar for the l service of the public: necessary fol 1 the release of credit to those who arc
 administering the railways; necessary
 for the protection of their security | holders. The old policy may bt
 changed much or little but surely i cannot always be left as it was. | hope that the congress will have complete and impartial study of tn, whole problem instit-,ted at once ant 1 prosecuted as rapidly as possible
 They feel that to at present ~ 1 tend the time would simply lead tt l delay and confusion. demoralization 0
 the organization of the roads both o1
 their corporate and operating side anC
 defer indefinitely a satisfactory set
 tIement of this great problem. l They regret to differ with the di
 rector generk+ recognizing the abl
 way he has managed the roads durin. 1 the period of government control, bu
 they feel confident that it would b.
 unnecessary and unwise to extend tn
 period, of control beyond the time nov
 provided for under the act