Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1918-12-06
PRESIDENT LEANS
TOWARDS REGIONAL
DIRECTOR RAIL PLAII
Senator Smith, of South Car
DINA, FavorS Modifica-
tionS-CongreSS viii Have
to Work Out the Problem


WASHINGTON, Dec. 5,--Presi-
dent Wilson leans toward the re
gionaI director" plain of railroad
control as a solution of the problem
he put up to congress in his message
Monday.
He Will give congress ample time
to work out legislation sowing the
problem, and will not turn the roads
back to private control unless con-
gress fails to move within The q
months after peace. fixed by law as
the limit of government control.
These statements were made to-
day by Senator Smith. South Caro-
lima, chairman of the senate Al -er-
state commerce commission, follow
ing a conference with President vii.
son n few hours before the latter
left Washington to go abroad.
Senator's Plan
1T is my purpose" said Senator
Smith today, ito take steps to get
the Newlands' joint railroad con-
mittee together as soon as other
pressing matters have been disposed
of. This committee is peculiarly
well equipped TO tackle the railroad
problem intelligently. 1t seems un-
likely TO me that any congressional
action can come at this session, but
as a result of my talk with the pres.
ident, 1 do not believe he will take
any action to turn the railroads back
unless congress fails to act within
the 21-month period.
The presidents ideas as convey
ed 20 me are in the main just as he
expressed them to congress, but he
leans towards tho regional director
plan.
lust at a glance I'm inclined TO
think that this plan would estab-
lish n strong central control without
wholly destroying elements of local
control"
The regional plan was suggested
to the Newlands' committee By law
yers for the railroads. Senator Smith
favors some notifications of the
original plan. the essentials Of which
are:
Federal control exercised by n
body sitting in Washington, sucl.
as the interstate commerce commits
sion for instance.
Formation of regional corpora
tons or appointment of regional dE
rectors to regulate locally.
Private Ownership
, Ownership and operation of the
railroads to remain in private hands
Central and regional federal con-
tro; to extend TO rates. bond issues
and financing, but not to .re-rou:ing
or division of equipment
This outline OF the plan contains
scne elements of vital difference be-
tween the railroads and members of
congress favoringI the strongest fed
eral control, but Smith indicated to-
day that he is inclined to adopt he
principle of the regional plan as
basis from which to begin working.
The president in his message spoke
specifically CT this plan as the mid
die ground" between government
ownership and returning The roads
outright TO private ownership.
Strong opposition to it, if it is
proposed. is expected from Estates
rights" congressman, who declared
today. 1t would destroy the power OF
state railroad and utilities commits
sions to regulate the lines.
Whatever is done. Senator S til
said today, must be complete.
There should be no piecemeal
legislation" he said. He character.
lied Senator Hoke Smiths bill re-
storing to the interstate commerce
commission it's full pre-war powers
as piecemeal legislation. Many 9TH
CT bills designed to solve separate
angles of the problem are expected.
Senator Smith will confer today
with Representative Esch, who after
March will be chairman of the
house committee. and who with
Smith is a member of The Nevlands
committee.