Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1918-02-14
RAILROAD CONTROL
BY GOVT. ATTACKED
Senator Kellogg Declares Presi.
dent Wilson's Action Was
Unnecessary.
NOTHING GAINED, HE SAYS.
Sen. Mclean Calls 1t Half Slave, Half
Free Policy-Both Senators VIII
Vote for Railroad Bill.

Washington. Feb 13.-Debate on the
administration railroad bill in the
Senate to-day was confined largely to
prepared speeches by Senators Kellogg
and Mclean republicans. both of
whom announced they would vote for
the measure. though they opposed the
principle involved and supporting gov
ernment operation Of the carriers only
as a war measure to terminate at a
fixed time.
1.-The present plan of government
possession under private management
is a half slave, half free policy. that
can be justified only at a time when
,the life of the nation itself is at
stake" said Senator Mclean. ut has
all the defects Of government owner
ship and none Of the benefits of pri-
vate management under private own
ership."
Senator Kellogg expressed the opinion
that the Presidents action in taking
over the railroads was unnecessary and
as great results would have been accom-
plished had the government given ade-
quate cooperation to the railroads In
meeting the situation. In view Of the
fact that the railroads now are under
government control. both he and Sena-
the President.
Senator johnson Of South Dakota late
day introduced an amendment which
would restore the original provision maxi
ing the termination Of government con-
troll subject to future congressional
action. This provision was eliminated
by both the Senate and House COM
mittees.
A substitute bill was introduced by
Senator Townsend, a republican member
Of the committee. 1t closely follows the
pending measure except that it changes
the compensation section slightly.
Senator Smith Of South Carolina. who
Is in charge of the bill. hopes to reach
a final vote late next week.
The opinion that President Wilson'S
action in taking over the railroads was
Unnecessary because as good results woult
have been obtained by the carriers witt
proper government cooperation, was ex
pressed in the Senate to-day by Senator
Kellogg. a member Of the Senate Inter
| state Commerce committee. He declared
that had the railroad heads been giver
full measure Of assistance the government
would have escaped the necessity of guar
! lanteeing the carriers an income for thu
use Of the properties taken over.
Senator Kellogg spoke in support Of thu
lcommittee's amended draft Of the admin
istration railroad bill which he said IRE
fleets the best judgment of the admins
tration and the committee" Although h
did not agree with the President and hi
advisers on the railroad question, tn,
| Minnesota senator said he intended doinl
everything possible ito strengthen ant
facilitate government operation and in
sure justice to the people, the railroad
and the vast army Of security holders.
J '"The railroads should have been sup
ported by government authority" h
continued, "to operate as unit. Bear
ing in mind that the congestion wa
simply in the eastern and northeastern
| territory. 1 am constrained to believ,
that as great service could have beer
obtained through the governments CO
operation as by taking over the roads.
Senator Kellogg approved of tn
compensation provided in the bill. Th
plan submitted originally by the ad
ministration giving the President alb
solute power to fix rates was denounce,
by Senator Kellogg.
Senator Kellogg said he believed tn
provision in the bill termination gov
ernment control within eighteel
months after the war should be re
tanned.