New-York tribune., 1919-01-09
Congress Should Withdraw
Presidents Power, Says
Commerce Commissioner
Opposes 5-Year Control
Year Long Enough, Edgar E.
Clark Testifies Before the
Upper House Committee
Ne~ Yorl. Tribune
IfQshir atom Rnrcou

the power he now has under war legis.
latlon to turn the railroads of ths
country back to private ownership or
an hours notice, Commissioner Edgar
f. Clark, of the Interstate Commerce
Commission, recommended to- day in re
suming his testimony before the Sen.
ate Interstate Commerce Committee
Continuation of Federal control for one
year would give Congress ample time
Commissioner Clark believed, to for
mulate a satisfactory railroad pro-
gramme
Under the questioning OF Senator's
Mr. Clark made it clear that the Inter
state Commerce Commission vas COM
petely at variance with the programme
recommended by Director General Nc
Adoo. Without making any direct crit
icism of the railroad adminstrat ION,
Mr. Clark declared there was little
more to be learned from the present
experiment in Federal control.
DO you think that conditions at this
time are so abnormal as to require a
continuance of government control for
five years ," Senator Mclean, OF Con-
necticut. asked.
Thinks Year Long Enough
Il certainly would not be so reckless
as to say that conditions are not alb
normal" replied Mr.. Clark. "but / am
not of the impression that Congress
will get any great fund of experience
By extending the experimental period"
would six months or a year be time
enough ?" continued Senator Mclean.
Il hesitate to say how long it would
take Congress to get what it wants. -
said Mr. Clark, "but in one year I
should say Congress could gather all
the information it can get, and can
PUT its decisions into legislative form
As control is at present being exer-
cised, it would cast little additional
illumination on the problems"
Under further questioning by Sen
ator Mclean regarding the practi-
cability of making the suggested rail
road reforms after the roads were
turned back to their private owners, in
the event that the government turned
them back at once, Commissioner Clark
urged that the remedial programme be
formulated before the roads were
turned back
'lf the roads were turned back at
once" said Mr.. Clark, "They would
have to operate under existing law
l. 4 c
the things that all of US believe desir-
able. There would be a great disturb
ance of financial arrangemen Many
Of the roads have had their organiza-
tons dissipated. In short, there would
be condition of chaos
Would Provide Reform First
1T seems most desirable to the COM
mission that the reform be provided
first. Then the railroads would have
the advantage of starting right.
IF had my way | would have Con-
gress say: This period of control
should terminate at given date. That
date will be set far enough ahead so
that legislation 20 permit the desirable
reforms may be written into law be-
forehand. The date will be set far
enough ahead so that every one will
have notice and may make arrange
naents accordingly
Speaking bluntly. l think that Con-
gress ought to withdraw from the
President the power he now has to
surrender the roads on an hours no.
tee. Congress should say when they
ahal go back"
That is not so easy" Senator Nc
Lean observed, calling attention to the
Administration programme" now be-
ing used through labor organizations
and railroad stockholders in support
Oh the McAdoo fve-year plan. He
caieo attention TO a resolution passed
by national farmers organization
now holding a convention here in sup
port OF the hve-year plan and, further,
70 various statements being circulated
IN labor circles to the effect that al
shougn the present high wages Of rail-
road men would be maintained under
FEDERAL control, there was doubt that
"Vuio DC continued II the rOadS
were turned back.
Could Protect Short Lines
Questions by Senator Underwood, of
Alabama, regarding the short lines
brought the statement from Commits
sioner Clark that il adequate admins
trative power were conferred on the
Interstate Commerce Commission it
would be entirely practicable to protect
short lines from being left high and
dry by the proposed merger of larger
properties.
Just how could the short lines be
protected 2" asked Senator Underwood
y want details"
"ff the short lines we're willing to
part with their properties at reason
able prices we could prohibit the larger
roads which anticipated consolidation
from leaving these short, independent
systems stranded" replied Mr.. Clark
III The short lines refused to sell they
would have 10 accept the consequences
We have no way Of compelling financial
merger or separate utilities"
why MOTT" asked Senator Town
send, Of Michigan, 10 which Mr.. CLARK
replied that he did not think il adyis,
able TO enforce sales except through
condemnation and Federal sales.
Little Equity for Stockholders
:, Stating that many stockholders Of ehe