Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1919-01-12
BY N. o. MESSENGER.

BY N. o. MESSENGER.
~ Ut of welter of words. as the
first peaks of land emerged
y. from the waste of waters in
the creation. appears con-
vergence OF views upon some broad
features Of railroad policy presented
to Congress.
Railroad executives, members of the
Interstate Commerce Commission
statesmen in Congress. publicists and
economists, while differing on some
essential and many minor points. are
agreeing upon some very important
general principles. which II enacted
into law will mark distinct progress
In the unification of railroad control
and, in the opinion of all proponents
make for the betterment of railroad
service.
Long strides in the direction of CEN
tralizafion of control Of railway op-
Grafton, the pathway to which is now
partly blocked by the Sherman anti
trnst, and other laws, are forecasted
in the general agreement upon major
features now being voiced. Narrow
prejudices of the past seem to ne
abating, dissipated by the results OF
actual experience. and giving way 10
broader understanding and deeper
sympathy; a more sympathetic feeling
among the solons for railway prob
lens and on the part of the railway
executives a wider tendency to con-
cession to popular sentiment and to
the demands Of the progressive spirit
of the times.
Everybody knows that the day Is
not so. long past when it was the
fashion in Con-
Railroad Batting sress TO no,a
a,Popular Game. as the peoples
enemy, to be attacked in every way
possable. such course was the surest
road OF the rising young demagogue
to publicity and it was often traversed.
Fer that matter. the charge has been
made in the past. now happily past
Indeed. that the Interstate Commerce
commissions ofttimes construed their
function to. be punitive in the main
ana looked upon all propositions
advanced by the railroads as the
Greeks bearing gifts. That out
rageous things were done by some
railroad arrangements in the past is
not denied nor that the railroads
oropSht much efths storm upon Thorn
sslvess ~ 3Aat II wAter gone eyer
the Wheel; now everyday II reformed
9hd we are All on the iiI a
more waxA than ona W.
The scasrenf hearings before the
ssnats cbmnAitteel on interstate come
mercs are bringing out the convsr-
gsnce Of Views, IN many quarters.
hitherto classed as opposing, upon
the broad general principles OF rail-
wy control. 1t is notable that the
Interstate Commerce Commission and
the executives Of the railways are
in practical agreement upon several
1inSs OF, policy which tend to greater
unt4cafion Of power In govern
mental agency and to granting the
railfpads the right to pool their ia
cj1ities, with Increased desperation
! between state and federal regulatory
bodies. Utterances Of leading think
ers IN Senate and House disclose SYM
:pGthetic acquiescence in these views.
1T would seem that the way is being
cleared for an understanding which
can readily be written into law.
X
The preponderance Of opinion seems
so be adverse to Director General Nc
Adoo's rec
NeAdss Kropesal ON m :
Hot Wstl necefved. INN, -
goyefnfAshf eoftroi of the railroads
for Avs years. The Interstate Com
uaeres eemsAlssIon, except one MEM
! bsr, opS6seS u. and the railway exec
utiyes Ake Hnahimous and emphatic
in oppoaltIoh. AZ the same time there
10 1afvtseal agreement that larger
Measufe u government control, and.
what . niofe important to the rail-
roads. governmental sanction of GER
rta4n praetseeA shall be employed.
THIS enc eolAAs to the meat in the
rcocuas7elASsssknnaental sanction Call
It 'c6nfFol n you want to-what
il desired b Uncle Sans 20. K" d.
rector aeAefal AcAdoo approves it,
the IakefstAta Commerce Commission
: indortes aAa the sentiment in Con-
!. gress 10 net uhfriendly on the whole
y
-
Here aSA eosne of the privileges the
sraflroe1s desire through amendment
Of { h e
Some e Privileges law:
soagAs b Railroads. ,t y + for sp the
seQutsstsBA BY an Interstate carrier of
the pr1Dsfties or securities Of another
>eArrist, or consolidation and merger
OF such carfiefA
Agreennehts between carriers en-
Gaxsd In interstate commerce in re-
spect 10 rates and practices.
The pooling OF cars and other trans
psrtation facilities.
Tho &Vision or earnings In connec-
ton WITH the elimination OF unneces-
sary tfNiA sefviee.
Tho faihuads are willing that the na-