The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-04-30
COMMERCE WANTS
WILSON TO RETURN
United States Chamber at st.
Louis Voices Need of His
Presence Home.

Sr. LOUIS, April 2e.-HsrTy A.
Wheeler, president Of the United States
Chamber OF Commerce. told that body
to-day that immediate return to this
country Of President Wilson and an
extra session OF Congress TO deal with
problems of industry are essential to
Americas business.
alone can open the way to resumption
OF normal conditions" he said.
After asserting that Americas posses
sion OF goods needed by tho world.
coupled with the nations buying power.
had prevented business paralysis. ne
said the country could no longer spare
the Chief Executive to await the TN
ravslling OF European conditions while
We at home drift with neither execu-
tive nor legislative attention to funda-
mental matters Of read5ustmsnt"
Mr.. Wheeler said that business must
aid to the utmost In paying war obiiBa-
lions. that the principle Of fair return
only on capital actually invested must Be
strictly observed, and added that II 10
necessary to restore business ~ usual
to insure maintenance OF peaceful condi-
| tons at a time when anarchy and other
unsound theories are clamoring for an
opportunity to try out experiments"
Would Return Roads at onoe.
Tho railroad committee submitted .
report opposing Government control and
operation Of railroads and urging that
tho roads be returned to their owners
as soon as remedial legislation can be
enacted" No extension of the period
| OF Government operation should be made
until Congress shall have found II I'm
possible to enact the required leGisla-
| ton within the period possible under the
railroad control act" the report said.
1t recommended further that, in the
public interest. roads be permitted to
consolidate into strong competing sys-
TENS. so located that each Of the prin-
| cipal traffic centres shall, II possible. be
| served by more than one system.
Other recommendations included Gre
alton OF a Federal transportation board
to promote development Of a national
system OF rail, water and highway trans
portation.
| The public utilities committee also sub
mitted a report declaring that the etreet
railway industry throughout the country
had reached a critical situation through
! increased cost OF operation and recon-
/
committee to hold hearings and acquaint
the public with conditions.
1T is q most urgent problem OF the
readjustment period" said the report.
in March ten per cent. OF the mileage
of the street railways OF the country was
in the hands Of receivers. BY the middle
OF April the proportion was 13k per
cent. Many companies not yet formally
declared bankrupt are In fact insolveni
when gagged by any ordinary business
standard
Peek for Price stabilisins.
! Refusal Of Government agencies a,
this time to cooperate in the movement
to stabilise prices At n lower level. ba set
upon a scientific determination Of cost,
and a proper consideration OF all in
terests involved, would be fraught with
grave consequences to the country
George N. Peek. chairman OF the indus
trial board OF the Department Of Com
} merce, declared in an address.
Referring to Director General Hines
! refusal to accept the schedule Of stee
prices agreed upon between the Indus
trial Board and representatives OF tn
industry as a level for Railroad Admin
istrat!on purchases Mr.. Peek deciare'
the real motive" for Mr.. Illness actor
|
too high, but his disapproval OF tn
course OF the board In approving price
J based on cost studies rather than call
ing sellers and Government buyers to
gether and permitting the best possiol
bargains b. barter
The course desired by Mr.. Hines, SAT-
Mr.. Peek. would mean such a beating
down Of prices as would force eithe
general reduction in wages or diver
? sion OF the entire business of tho rail
roads TO one or two powerful low cos
producers. The Railroad Administered, or
he said. by reason OF Its great purchas
ing power in rails could 'practicali
control the market and the price"
Mr.. Peek defended the boards pric
agreement policy against Mr.. Hines
objection that It gives immunity fror
the operation OF antitrust laws 20 tn
industries involved. Any producer. h
pointed out. Is free TO sell at higher q
lower prices than those agreed upon I
n particular industry.