Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1919-01-09
GIVES PLAN.
To OPERATE.
RAILROADS.
Senate Hears Program of
Association of Rail
way Executives.

hensive program for private owner
ship and management of railroads
under strict government regulation
was laid before the senate interstate
commerce committee by T. Dewitt
Cuyler. chairman of the associa-
tion of railway executives, repre-
senting practically all leading
roads in the United States.
The plan includes provision for
merging systems, large measure
of unification of operation, pooling
of facilities and in certain cases of
earnings and enforcement of ade-
quate service under supervision of
a secretary of transportation, a new
cabinet office, with the interstate
commerce commission acting as a
supreme court of review of rate
disputes.
Wage and employment disputes
which could not be settled between
employees and managements would
be referred to an adjustment board
within the department of transpOr-
tation under the plan, and strikes
and lockOuts forbidden pending in
vestigatiOn.
New Reforms Continued.
Most operating reforms effected
during unified management by the
railroad administration would be
continued. The executives object
to Director-GeneraI McAdoO's pro-
posaI for five-year extension of
government control. Their sugges-
tions are similar to the recOmmen-
dations of the interstate commerce
commission. presented to the SEN
ate committee hearings early this
week
THE fundamental and essential
purpose to be accomplished is to
furnish the public with safe, eff
cient and adequate transportation
at the lowest cost consistent with
such service" said Mr.. Cuyler,
reading to the committee prepar-
ed statement land with due re-
gard to the just interests of the
owners and employees and also ade-
quate to the nations needs even in
time of great national emergency
or peril"
Must Consider Public Needs.
He declared that whatever plan
or policy should be adopted provi-
sion should be made for adequate
service for the country's needs, for
necessary construction and consol-
idations when dictated by public
interest and "for a rate structure
which will provide sufficient reve-
nues and create sufficient credit to
accomplish these purposes"
Mr
private ownership. management
ways should, as a matter of nation
al policy be continued.
THE power of regulation of the
instrumentalities of interstate COM
merce, as to all things substantial
Iy affecting them including all
rates, state and interstate should
be exclusively in the hands of the
government. State COM
missions should not be interfered
with by the federal act except as far
as necessary as to carry out the
purposes herein mentioned.
"The interstate commerce COM
should act as a quasi ju-
diciaI body clothed with authority
to pass upon all questions concern
ing the reasonableness and ade-
quacy of rates and concerning dis
ordinations.
mo new or branch lines Of rail
road or large and expensive termi-
nails should be constructed unless
a certificate of public convenience
and necessity is first obtained from
the secretary of transportation.
The executive and administrative
functions of the interstate COM
merce commission excep; as to ac-
and as to federal valua-
ton of railroad properties. should
be transferred to the secretary of
THE carriers should have the
power to initiate rates, schedules
Of which should be filed with the
interstate commerce commission |!
with the secretary of transporta-
ton and with the state commits |
sions. in which the rates are ap-
plicable."
Work of Commerce Body.
The secretary of transportation |,
might approve the rates, let them |
90 into effect without approval, or |
them, and refer them to |
he interstate commerce commits |
sion for determination. The COM
might also hear complaints /
1y shippers or others and have !
to prescribe minimum as !
we'll as maximum rates.
Ntr Cuyler's statement specified |
hat "the statute itself should pro-
7ide the rule of rate-making and
should require that rates be no.
)nly what has been called reason
lble. but adequate and sufficient to
enable the carriers to provide safe,
adequate and sufficient service to
protect existing investment and 20
'ttract the new capital necessary
n the public interest"
1t was declared further that "the
statute had provided that existing
ates, put into effect by the director
general of railroads should be con-
inued in effect until changed by
he interstate commerce commits
ion as provided by law" or through
OF new rates Dy roads |
7EnraCS rafaS chOu11 ho doaJt will,