The sun., 1918-02-02
Senate Committee for Rate
Fixing by Wilson. Sub
ject to |. c. c. Review.
ACTION Is A COMPROMISE
Members Of House Begin Con-
sideratiOn Of Measure and
Will Hasten Passage.
Spt CiaL DsspIfch 10 TIE SIN


control of the railroads Of the United
States viii! be limited to period Of
eighteen months from the and OF the
war and the rate liking power VIII be
reposed in the President. subject TO re-
view and adjudication by the Interstate
commerce Commission. under the terms
u compromise agreement adopted to-
day by the Senate Co 1lmlttee on Inter-
state Commerce by vote OF II TO 4.
The compromise suggestions were
drafted by Senators Townsend mich }.
Republican. and Robinson (Ark.), DEM
ocrat. who have consul, ed frequently
with Director-General OF railroads Nc
Adoo.
At a conference in the White House
to-day with the members Of the commit
tee. the President made II known that
he did not wish the Interstate Com
merce Commission deprived of its power.
II was with this idea that Senators
Townsend and Robinson drew up the
compromise clause. putting the power 70
initiate rates in the hands OF the Presi-
dant. This power will continue during
the period OF Federal control instead of
during the war. as has been suggested.
Tive Knots TO CntanGle.
Following adjournment Of the commit
tee to-day. Senator Robinson, speaking
for the subcommittee, said: I'VE had
two hard knots to untangle. The ques-
tons most seriously dividing. the COM
mittee were the period OF Federaiized
control and the repository OF the rate
fixing power
As a concession to opporea!ts OF the
Administration the revisers provided
. that II eiths,' the carriers or the ship
pers should he dissatisfied with the rates
No., ,tvhe tk,xaI I,Nsa NnVvS
, merce Commission. which Is authorized
( to determine the justice Of tine COM
f plaints
The eighteen months limitation also
was a compromise. II was evident from
I the start that the opposition to un'
! limited control which the original bill
provided could he defeated either II
committee or on the floor II was
essential IL the bill was to be PASSED
speedily that an immediate concession
/ be made. ma result was the e!ghteer
months period. although It II believed
! that II the opponents, Of indetsrnaiasatl
control had held out ti>y could have
forced a limitation OF Government op
Grafton to one year from th. wars end
Expects Com promise - stana.
Senator Robinson to-niEh; expressed
the view that the compromise which
would stand the test Of the coming de
bate In tho Senate. lie said that O.
the four Senators voting against tn,
compromise three had voted no be
cause they thought the rate makini
powers granted the President were too
great, and the other because he though
they were insufficient.
Unless all signs fail. the House In
terstate Commerce Committee viii
strike from the Administration railroad
bill the provision for indefinite con
tinuation OF Government operation an,
will substitute for IL Il DEFINITE tim
Limitation.
The committee held Us arst ineetin;
to shape the bill to-day. but spent tn
session in discussion An ag-eemen
was reached to vote tomorrow on tn
extension of Government operation.
Word has been received by Admins
tration men on the committee that tn
indefinite coQt !nuatlon Of control il mucl
desired. aud this may win a few con
verts to that side. II Is a safe prediction
however. in the opinion OF some member
OF the committee that the limiting
amendment will be carried tomorrow
by margin OF two or three votes a
, least.
. mittee was informed to-day that the Ad
. ministratiOn IL desirous Of having rail
road legislation finished in Congress a
soon as possible. SO that other importan
financial and war measures may b
adopted. Therefore. the railroad bill
to be rushed as fast as possible in com
. mittee and a special rule adopted to IA
cilitate its early passage In the House.
After the committee disposes of tenur
Of Government control tomorrow tn
question OF proper compensation will
taken up. Little opposition to tho pla
proposed In the Administration bill ha
arisen. and the general belief is that
will remain In the bill as II Is now. wit
only immaterial amendments, II any ar
made at all.
An effort will be made TO have inserte
in the bill some provision for taking ca T
of the short line railroads which hav
been left out Of the Government system
: although they were notified by the Direc
! tor-General that they were under Gov
, ernment control and subject to his OF
, ders. The vote on this question will b
very close.