New-York tribune., 1919-11-06
Definite Announcement
by Senator Cun,mins
Moves Leaders to Plan
for Speedy Legislation
House Bill To Be
Ready by Monday
Temporary Measures for
Extending Government
Financing Are Framed
Mem Yo'h Tribunc
G-sh5p0tOr Bllyc0;,

washington Burcau
WASHINGTON, Nov. 5.-Dciinitc an
nouncemont that President Wilson
would return the railroads of the coun
try TO private ownership January /
and that government operation of the
roads would cease on that date was
made to-day by Senator Cummins
chairman of the Senate Committee on
Interstate Commerce. following = con-
terence with Director General Hines. Of
the United States Railroad Adminis-
trai'on. The announcement caused
leaders in Congress 10 plan speedy
action to meet the situation
Meetings Of the Senate and House
committees were hurricdly called and
it was decided that temporary lcgisla-
ton to extend government financing of
the roads until permanent legislation
could be enacted would be drafted and
reported to Congress within few
days, provided the permanent lcgisla-
ton could not be passed before Janu-
ary l. An effort will be made to enact
permanent legislation before the tenn
porary Legislation is taken up, it was
stated.
The Pomcrenc bin will be re-
ported to the House next Monday.
Chairman Esch and Republican Leader
Mondell have Informed Senator Cum
mlns that the House would dispose Of
the bill before the end of the week.
J ne senate Committee on Interstate
Commerce, in the meantime, will draft
She temporary Legislation and have it
ready to report il the peace treaty de-
lays passage of the permanent legis-
lation IN the Senate
Permanent Legislation Planned
O.
road legislation at this session has not
been abandoned, said Senator Cum
Minis. "Thc House undoubtedly will
pass bill, though it is not yet out
Of the committee. 1t viii be reported
very soon.
eve are informed definitely that the
railroads will be returned bv the Pres
ldent to the companies on January t.
In that situation, and with the unccr-
tainty about passing much needed leg
islation before they are returned, the
Senate Committee on Interstate Com
mercc has been in a conference to con-
sider taking steps TO pass temporary
measures to render the transitional
period easier BY that | mean. par
ticularlY, the extension of the guar
antccd returns for some brief period
Until the permanent reconstruction leg
ls!atlon can be passed.
the necessity for getting legislation
passed before the roads so back, but
there was also realization OF the diff
cuIties that would confront it in the
Senate. have begun TO doubt whether
we could pass It at this session, or
even before the beginning Of the new
year
Senate and House at Odds
The Senate and House are at odds
over permanent legislation to meet
the problem.
The House leaders are insisting upon
the enactment Of the Esch- Pomcrene
bill, which was drafted by tho Inter
state Commerce Comm Ssion, and which
would give the commission complete
control over the private operation of
the roads, even TO the extent Of reor-
ganizing the railroad systems and su
perVlslng the financing OF the carriers.
In the Senate, the Cummins bill. re
Gently drafted by the Interstate Com /
mcrce Committee after months of hear
ings. is favored The Cummins bin
provides for the organization Of all the
railroads of the country into COMPETE
tive systems and for their operation
under strict Federal control The
Cummins bill further guarantees divi-
dcnds to the holders Of railroad securi-
ties and completely changes the rate
making powers of the existing system
of operation.
Senator sCummins has been warning
Congress That the President would re
turn the roads to their owners on the (
tlrst OF the year, and it is SAID Pres
ident Wilson believes Congress has had /
time 10 enact whatever legislation the /
situation demanded.
Mr. Hines and Senator Cummins con
,It., Il i. y
steps to be taken before the adjourn
ment of Congress, which is expected
November %
Chairman Escb, of tho House Com
mttee, and Republican Leader Mon
deli then discussed the situation with /
Senator Cummins, and an agreement
was made to push The Fsch pomerenc
bill IN the House and the Cummins bill /
in the Senate