New Britain herald., 1919-01-07
GOVERNMENT OWNED RAILROADS OPPOSED
Interstate Commerce Commission in Favor Of Private Ownership
UNDER FEDERAL REGULATION


 Arguments For and Against Federal Control and Advises ill Favor of the Latter.
 Washington, Jan. 7.--Opposition to government ownership or operation of railroads it this time was expressed today by the Interata,e Con1merce commission in q stat>n4ont presented to the senate interstate commerce committee at it's hearing on railway Legislation by CommIssioner EoSar Clark.
 F'ay0~S Private Control.
 "Consider ne and veLghinG Ns best v-c co1, all Of the argu:ientS for and agafnss the d.Norcnt plans" said the statement, we are led to the conFic- ton that with the ado ptjon of epNro- priate provisions and safeguards for rcguiat. .ons under private ownership it would not be wise or Desc at this time to assume government ownership o, oDorat,on of tho railways Of the country"
 The commisa'oa declared, however, that "a reasonable period of readjuSt- mcnt or preparation" should be al- lowed before rel1nquishmcnt of fcG- eral control.
 Wants Federal Regulation.
 Tt seems obvious," said the state ment, that no plan of private owner ship should be considered unless it is under a broaGened. extended and am- Dljfiod government regulat ou."
 Commissioner WooNoy disSented from the recommo mondation against continuation of federal control and advocated adoption Of Dircctor4Gen- oral McAdoo'a suggestion for extcn- sion Of federal management.
 Tho comm ;ssion presented de- tailed program of proposed legisla- ton in case railroads arc returned to private mana GeEncnt, providing for strict regulatio by the government of rates, services finances. security issues and pooling of fac lilies. and claIif1ca- tion of doubtful relationship between federal and state authority.
 Asks RctuT1 of Roads.
 Supporting the argument fo1 return oe railroads 10 private management, the comm 'ssiOn'Si stateme ent says:
 The law provides that federal con tr0l shall not continue beyond 2l months after the promul Sation of a treaty of peace The wisdom of thus prov5d'ng a reasonable period after the passing of the imperative neces- sity of our government in actua prosecution of warfare within Whtcf to adjust or make preparations for re- adjustment of traffic conditions ant tO round out or to 2repare financia arrangements is hardly open to Ques ton. Carriers properties form erl3 composing system are now under the jurisdiction of two or more re. gional directors or federal managers the current of traffic has in some in stances been materially changed ant financial complications exist. Com paraUvely few contracts for compcn sation have been perfected betweer the transportation companies and thu government.
 Want t0 Give Due Notice.
 "Our expression Tn favor of return to private ownership and operation is therefore, not to he understood fa voring a return of the properties in precipitate way. A reasonable perioC of readjustment CT preparation should be afforded and reasonable notic should be given that upon 2, given dat the properties will be restored to thei owners.
 anifestIy, from a social stand point. as well as from the standpoin of the nature of the employment ant because Of the great imnortance t the public as well as 10 the railroad of loyal and devoted service on par of the employees. the railroad employe should no adouua 'olv compensated.
 J"~i@'ntiyc .*ctinH Suggested.
 The c0urriG iGs'0n then set forth rec ommondati0n~ for legislative action.
 First. said the statement thcr should he 'rcl';son of limitations upo united or cooperative actiIitie among cor,nOn c2rrier= by rail an by water" Supporting this suyges ton. the commission said:
 "nnv'ouz'y cornDot:tion bctWee ca.,riors that is v$stofuI or unnocea sarily expensive lays an added hurdle unon the rata payers. Elimination c wastefu] or unduly expensive corrpsti tion in rates O. 9ar,ice is i 3strablc"
 Railroads 9NculH ha permitted | merge and con&oltAata after tHoroue invest:eation an0 hoar'ng and on1 hv earrtion Of the govern enta1 regu 1atinqc body. tha cOroro+ss'on says, an tris t,.'huna1 shouI3 have authority [ pre~crfbe both maXtrnum and mini mum rates.
 pOr~CA1er CApT VIC TsNv~rOHT.