The Brattleboro daily reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1913-1955, 1919-03-12
FOR RAILROAD
REORGANIZATION
Plans Suggested by Seven
Different American
Organizations
NEXT CONGRESS MUST
TACKLE THE PROBLEM
All But the Railroad Administration
and Railway Labor Opposed to Gov
eminent Control or Ownership - Old
Testimony Available.


Testimony Available.
WASHINGTON, March l2-Adjoutr-
ment of congress without legislation pro-
viding a solution of the railroad problem
leaves this question as one of the princi.
pal heritages of the next congress. Adyo.
Gates of various plans already have begun
to promote propaganda for their respec.
tive theories, and are prepared to urge
congress- to take up consideration early in
the next session.
At that time, testimony taken before
the senate interstate commerce committee
of the present congress viii be available
The new group of legislators viii be con,
fronted with recommendations of seven
groups of interests. These are: Tho
Railroad administration, railroad eYecu-
tives, railway labor, railroad security
owners, interstate commerce commission,
| shippers, and state commissions
The railroad administration indorse-
ment of a hve-year extension of federal
management was opposed by all other
interests, except that the labor groups
opposition was qualified. All interests
except the railroad administration and
railway labor advocated return to private
management as soon as congress has en-
acted legislation permitting larger meas
ure Of unified operation and of stricter
government control The labor forces
| proposed government ownership with pri
rate management.
The varied views may be. summarized
las follows:
Railroad Administration-For -five-yeal
extension of government control, with al
tentative of early return of the roads tc
private management Former Director
General AIeAdoo regarded the FIVE years
as a period to test all theories; his sue
cessor Walker ID. Hines regarded it az
an interim course, rather than a test, II
give congress time to work out perma
nent solution; Mr. Hines proposed event
ual private management, with mergers o
the numerous roads into six or more re
! gional companies, with more uniform ii
nancial strength, the government repre-
scented on the boards of directors, profit
to be shared with the government ant
perhaps employees, and the roads assured
adequate return on investments.
Interstate Commerce COMMISSIONED
Ipriyatc operation, with privileges of pool
ing equipment and facilities. cooperating
in operating plans, mergers within lin
its, government regulation Of securities
Qualification of the twilight zone between
state and federal authority. complet
: mergers in time of war emergency, regr
lation of construction, and development
with lines. All this would be under th
1 ,ln%ss rf
{ sumably the interstate commerce commi:
sion.
Railroad exeeutives-for creation of
f secretary of transportation to superyis
j. all rate and operating matters, ineludin
t mergers, pooling and cooperation, wit
interstate commerce commission the 81
preme court of review on rate questions
, and regional commissions to assist; leg;
! assurance of adequate rates, rates to /
initiated by companies; federal incorpori
ton; opposed to return of roads to pr
vate management without legislation I
provide these reforms, and against tiv
year extension of federal control.
Railroad security owners-governmer
a assurance of adequate return on inves
ments (six per cent suggested, with e
!. cess earnings to be shared with employ,
/ and used for property, improvements; 8
perFision of rates of interstate commer
Z commission, with regional commission
. return to private control to be directe
by an association governed by the nil
n interskate commerce commissioners ar
d eight railroad executives; against feder
incorporation. or extension of contrC
m and against turning the roads back il
N! mediately
r, Railway labor-for government owne
ship of properties, and pfavate operate
J, by single corporation directed joint
or by representatives of employees, appoint
r. officers and the government; 'earnin
above a sum sufficient to pay costs
u capital to be divided between the Cover
&c ment and employees. Against fve-year c
no tension, but in favor of longer peri
than Il months; against turning ba
roads Immediately. For strict supervise
- by interstate commerce commission
- Shippers-for private management, a
~ a large measure of competition. with 6
"a thority for pooling equipment comm
s. use of terminals; early restoration
rs state rate making powers, and authori
"a. of interstate commerce commission
TN suspend rates initiated by the railro
ef administration. Against federal incorp
ne alton, creation of secretary of transp
tation and government ownership.
State commissions most features
the interstate commerce commission pl
H. with adjustment of relationships betwt
federal and state authorities; against
N. tension OF control. and creation of sec
tary of transportation