Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1919-01-07
Interstate Commerce Com
mission Tells Senate Com
mittec in Statement
WAITING. PERIOD URGED
Body Says Plan of Private
Ownership Should Be Under
Broad Litigation
WOOLEY FOR CONTROL.
Majority Concludes Appropri-
ale Provisions and Safe
guards Necessary

Washington, Jan. Opposition to
IF railroads at this time as expressed
to-day b ythe Interstate Commerce
Commission. in a statement pre-
sented to the Senate Interstate Com
mittee at its hearin on railway legis-
lation. by Commissioner Edgar T..
Clark.
Considering and weighing as best
we can all of the arguments for and
against the different plans" said the
statement 1--WE are led TO the con-
viction that with the adoption OF
appropriate provisions and safe
guards for regulation under private
ownership, it would not be wise or
best at this time to assume govern
ment or operation vmfwypjpjpjp
ment ownership or operation of the
railways of the country"
Amplificd Ownership Suggested
The commission declared, how
ever. that "a reasonable period of
readjustment or preparation" should
he allowed before REIMBURSEMENT of
federal control. 1T seems obvious"
said the statement, that no plan of
private ownership should be consid-
cred unless it is under broadened,
extended and amplified government
regulation"
Commissioner Woolley dissented
from the recommendation against
continuation of government control
and advocated adoption of Director
General McAdoos suggestion for eX-
tension of federal management
The commission presented a de-
allied program of proposed legisla-
ION in case railroads are returned to
private managem ent. providing for
strict regulation by the government
Of rates, services, finances, security
issues and pooling of facilities and
Qualification of doubtful relationship
been federal and state authority
Supporting the argument for re-
turn of railroads to private manage
ment, the Commissions statement
says:
The law provides that Federal
control shall not continue beyond
twenty-one months after the pro-
mitigation OF a treaty of peace. The
wisdom of thus providing a reason
q ble period after the passing of the
-IlptIdllNe necessity Oh our dONel-s-
ment in actual prosecution of war
fare within which to readjust or
make preparations for readjustment
of traffic conditions and TO round
out or prepare financial arrange
ments is hardly open to question.
Carriers properties formerly COM
posing system are now under the
jurisdiction of two or more regional
directors. or Federal managers. the
current of traffic has in some in
stances been materially changed and
financial complications exist. Com
parativeiy few contracts for compen-
sation have been perfected between
the transportation companies and the
Government.
Our expression in favor of return
TO private ownership and operation
is. therefore, not TO be understood as
faVoring a return of the properties
in preciptate way. 4 reasonable
period of readjustment or prepara-
tion should be afforded and reason
allie notice should be given that
upon given date the properties will
be restored to their owners.
"Manifestly, from a social stand
point, as well as from the standpoint
because of the great Importance to
OF loyal and devoted service on the
the public as we'll as to the railroads.
Of loyal and devoted service on the
part of the employees, the railroad
employees should be adequately com
pensated.'