The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-01-08
.R.R. CHIEFS TO ASK
UNIFIED CONTROL
Continued from First Page.

terstate Commerce Commissions conten-
ton that railroads should be returned to
private management within reason
able period" to allow for preparations
and readjustment and under broad
ened, extended and amplified Govern
mental regulation"
Commissioner woolley dissented In
part. advocating Director General Nc
Adoo's proposal that Government control
be extended for five years to provide n
test period
The Interstate Commerce Commits
sion's suggestions were the first alter
natives to Mr.. McAdoo's extension plan
80 far received by tho Senate commit
tee. Most of the commissions sug-
gestions are understood to be embodied
IN the railroad executives plan, which
also proposes permanent retention of a
81 eater part Of the reforms effected by
the Railroad Administration.
The Interstate Commerce Comms-
sion's statement to the senate commit
tee referred repeatedly to a Federal
body" to exercise public control over
railroads, but did not specify whether
this was to be the commission Itself or
some other agency.
The plan of the railroad executives,
on the other hand. proposes TO give to
the Secretary OF Transportation broad
cilties whenever demanded by the pub
lie interest, to distribute traffic over
various lines for the purpose of reliev-
Ing congestion ana eXpeditiug the SER
vice. to order the transfer of cars from
one line to another where they are most
needed. and to require the Joint use Of
| terminals by competing lines.
| Tive commissions announcement was
made by Commissioner Edgar T.. Clark,
! Mt he
merce Committees hearing on proposed
railroad legislation, 10 which the railway
executives proposed plan will be pre-
scented tomorrow or Thursday.
The commission opposed indefinite
| continuance OF Government ownership or
| operation OF railroads at this time. and
| outlined a comprehensive plan for legls-
latlon which would permit elimination OF
| unnecessary competition, pooling Of IA
| oilities Government prescription of max
imum and minimum rates and standards
of service, Government direction OF rail-
road extensions and financing, and di-
! rect cooperation between Federal and
| Stnte regulatory bodies.
| To coordinate the agencies of Go" m
| ment control the railroad executives no
| lose to transfer TO the Department Of
| Transportation the executive and adj
! illustrative functions now held by the
| commission would remain the court Of
, last resort as to reasonableness md ade-
| quacy OF freight and passenger rates,
| hut the responsibility for rate regulation
would be divided between the secretary
! OF transportation, the commission and
new re.ional commissions representing
! groups Of states, reporting tll'r findings
| TO the commission at Washtr ton
The proposal OF the railroad leaders
! fa 49,. 81, ,.-fs b 1,a
! Government shall be reviewed by the
secretary OF transportation, who may
approve or disapprove them or refer
them to the comm ssion. Any rates
| made the subject OF complaint by the
public could he brought before the COM
mission for review regardless of the
! Cabinet offfcer 8 action. The period for
which rates might he suspended pend
ing Investigation would be reduced from
ten months. as at present. 70 two
months.
The railroad mems attitude Ia that the
| Commerce COMMISSIONS efficiency would
b. increased through relieving II Of ad-
. ministrative detail. and the turning over
to regional commissions Of much routine
involved IN hearing local rate cases
/ To make possible consolidation OF
weak railroads with strong lines joint
use OF cars and facilities. intcr-Compauy
| agreements az To rates and practices
the rail executives would amend exist
ing laws forbidding these practices. and
legalize them under supervision OF this
! secretary of transportation.
Other features OF the railroad pro.
posal include Federal Incorporation OF
all railroad companies. Federal cOntro
OF railroad security Issues. AMI estah-
lishment OF Federal wage board tC
investigate wage and employment dis
putes. In the event OF adoption by Con
gress OF the policy OF private ownership
and operation under Government regu,
lation. the Interstate Commerce Com
mission proposed eight subjects FOL
legislative considerations:
Removal OF some Of the present limi-
tations on united or cooperative activi'
ties among rail and water carriers
emancipation of railway operation from
financial dictation. Government reguia
ton OF security issues. establishment o.
new relations between Federal ana stat,
authorities to eliminate the existing
twilight zone" OF jurisdiction, restric
tons governing the treatment OF com
petitive as compared with non-Competj
tive train. efficient utilization anC
pooled purchases OF cars and loComo
tives, more liberal and common use q
terminal facilities. and limitations with
in which common carriers facilities an,
service may be furnished by shipper o
receivers Of freight.
RegS rdless OF what line of policy /!
followed by Congress in determining thu
future of railroads. the commission