Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1919-01-28
iNrRopucEs BILL CALLING FOR
RETENTION or RAILROADS
rwENTY.oks MONTHS.
TO rHwART DEMOCRATIC
pouslE.AcTIoN PLAN.
Would Prevent Administration From
Carrying Out Throat 20 Turn Back
Roads Immediately Unless Congress
Permits Retention For Five Years
Sees Breakers Ahead.

Washington. Jan. 2S.-To thwart the
ADMINISTRATORS threat to turn back
the railroad DIS to their owners at once,
Senator Cummins, OF Iowa, ranking
republican member OF the senate in
terstate commerce committee. yester-
day introduced bill , amending the
railroad act b. making the retention
Of the railroads mandatory until the
expiration Of twenty one months after
the proclamation of peace.
Senator Cummins' bill is a reply to
the declared purpose OF the admins
tratior TO restore the roads to private
ownership and operation unless con-
gress grants the five year extension
Of federal control urged by William
Gibbs McAdoo. The return of the rail-
roads TO private management without
comprehensive legislation fixing their
status would be disastrous. Senator
Cummins believes.
Hope For Speedy Action.
In introducing the bill Senator Cum
minis expressed the attitude OF almost
all his republican colleagues and not
few democrats. An effort will be made
10 get quick action on the measure in
the hope OF passing It before the pres
ent term expires on March 4.
Senator Cumu7,ns pointed ont thai
it was apparent that Mr.. McAdoos
FIVE year experiment program had no
friends in congress and urged the
passage OF his bill to demonstrate the
attitude OF congress Oh the railroad
situation, In the absence OF definite
expression of opinion the administra-
ton might very well take IL for
granted that congress was not opposed
to the return of the railroads without
comprehensive legislation. he ex-
planned.
O. Says MeAdoo Was Clear.
"Mr. Mcadoo stated with reason
able clearness when before our COM
mittee that the railroad systems prob
ably would be returned TO their own
ems at the end Of this session II the
extension IS not granted" he said.
II understand that Mr.. McAdoo gave
only his personal views" interrupted
Senator Pomerene Of Ohio.
That Is very true" replied Senator
u
since has said that the roads will be
returned. The sentiment has been ex-
pressed by bankers and business men
that the return OF the roads before
wise legislation is enacted by congress
would be a universal disaster. It has
been declared that more than one
third OF the railroad mileage OF the
United States would be IN the hands OF
receivers within sixty days. Members
OF congress believe that some endur-
ing plan of control can be arranged.
Sees Breakers Ahead.
win an extra session OF congress
be necessary to accomplish this re-
suit - asked Senator Thomas Of Colo
RADIO.
IN my Judgment. a special session
will be necessary" answered Senator
Cumnlins. But otherwise the COM
mittee could work in the interim. ano
thus make possible the desired result
within the year period. The bill l
know proposes to give the country
twenty-one months after the end OF
the war to make new arrangements,
Unless some such bill is passed, and
4 the president of the United States
is guided. by the advice OF the director