New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1919-03-01
Favors Attempt at Per-
uua,,cui Constructive Pro-
crnmmnc Before Release
Urges Reasonable Time
Seeks to Allay Speculation
ms To When Private Con
troll Will BE Resumed

WASHINGTON. Feb. IS, - Director
General Hines announced to-day with
The nprroNai OF president Wilson that
cha railroads would net be fchns
ou.shed from government control uns
ri there had been an opportunity to
see whether a constructive permanent
,yocramme of legislation WAS likely to
he adopted within "reasonablc time
Director General Hines announce
wont WAS generally interpreted az
maoning that the railroads would be
mnder government management tor at
ioost another wear and probably longer.
With the temporary status deter
n,,rsd the railroad administration Will
~ ohsad vigorously with the programme
CO.. IMPROVEMENTS and extensions.
II WAS SAID that the decision is not
8 reversal Of policyF The railroad ad-
minlstration has long advocated early
rclinouishment. it WAS explained, but
not until Congress had had time TO act
on fhe nroposed tivc-year extension OF
e,overnment control to consider other
legislation ..;.1.
s.ated in a letter sent by MIR. Hines
70 Senators Smith and Martin. chair
WON resnectivelv of the Senate Com
m,ttees on Interstate Commerce and
Appropriations, and to Representatives
Sims end Sherley, ohairmen of the
House Committees On Interstate and
Foreign Commerce and Appropriations.
The letter follows:
"As you are aware there has been
some inquiry as 70 whether there
might be an immediate or precipitate
A. =. IA, q, ~
arement The railroad administration
has indicated whenever this inquiry
has been made that it would not rec
ommend any such step be taken.
President Authorizes Statement
For your further information | am
GLAD TO say that have now discussed
the matter with the President and he
has authorized mt to state That not
only will there be no sudden rclin-
auishment of the railroads. but further
that IL IS not his purpose 70 rehuQuish
tho railroads until there has been an
opportunity to see whether a construc-
''vc ncrmancat programme of lcgisla.
ton Is likely 90 he considered prompt
Is and adopted Within u reasonable
umc.'
Mr. uues discussed The mat'cr NJ
thr White House with the President
iltt night ana X WNS INC if'Alu'n' s
conclusion that in view OF the si'ua
tion as i' TODD ~ would not be advis-
able ia return the railroads GO private
ownership Immediately.
The Senate Interstate Commerce
Committee held many hearings in an
egor, 20 determine what shond be
done with the roads and the House
Commerce COMMITTEE is oxnacted TO
consider the question rsomptlv az the
beginning of the next session of Con
eress
Seek to Alav Unrest
T. is understood Il at Mr.. Illness
announcement resulted from the desire
If ~ presidents and the railroad add
wirisifation 20 allav speculation as TO
10 dete Of the relinaui hmeri Of the
railroads vhirh IS said 70 have affect
~ ~ mefale Of ,altoad nrloSes and
Hnar "A candi'ians generally
FORMER niteetar General NtAand in
suss tiue tha rxtansian Faf ntr tpais
- % raeiai " tHiefa panttel said
'Fai sheh as y tHusiaN Nefe nat
adopted Ha Weua aAfeeata aN eaflN 10
lRsW hment sc The fallfHaas, hVl est
ss iaia far sWeh ffiiHlNishnfHt
fhH afHata instefflfe tauWiitee TIA
das rspafisA fatutahg the resolution
81 Chairman NaHAhead rrnAiiius Tor
termination eff federal eanttal oi ieie
etarh. ielenhnnp and either wire utili-
lies ns4t December 81 \ similar reso-
laiien is pending in the ilouse