New-York tribune., 1919-10-19
Cuyler Defends
Rail Executives
Plan for Roads
Explains Advantages of Pri-
vate Control Under Trans
portation Board; De-
nounces Plumb Scheme
and Says Public OpposesIt

PHILADELPHIA. Oct. 1s.-Declarine
there is an Overwhelming public senti-
nent that the railroads shall be re-
turned to their owners, T. De Witt Guy
Ter. chairman of the Association of
Railway Executives. speaking here to-
night before the American Academy of
Political and Social Science. defended
the plan Of the association for private
control Of the carriers.
The plan submitted by our associa-
tion.' said Mr.. Cuvler, proceeds on
the American principle that private mi
tiative and enterprise must be pre-
served and that fair return must be
made to those who own the properties
We have in our plan provided for what
is known as a transportation board, the
object being to obtain men of the very
highest character and ability for this
important position.
'It shall be their duty to keep them
selves informed Sof the transportation
needs and facilities of the country, and
from time 70 time to certify to the
Interstate Commerce Commission the
amount of earnings necessary to
enable the roads to provide adequate
fac.lt es to maintain their properties
10 meet their operating expenses. their
dividends and the interest on their in
debtedness, and sufficient to attract
new capital for the future needs of the
railroads"
Mr.. Cuyler charged that the Inter
state CONNER Commission had not
always adhered to the statutory rule
of rate making and as result many
roads had been hamoered almost to the
verge Of bankruptcy by lack of ade
quate rates. Under the rule proposed
by the railway executives, he said
thre could be no excuse for the com
mission not Giving adequate rates for
all just requirements.
Concerning minimum rate sugges-
rions Mr.. Cuyler declared that such
programme would be accompanied by
the successful and prosperous roads
for the benefit Of the weaker roads,
which in effect would be the confisca-
tion II the property Of one to the ad-
vantage of another.
the Interstate Commerce Commits
sion under our plan" he added, sis
charged with the duty of carrying out
the rate policies as determined by
by thethe board of transportation and
perform all the other duties that are
now vested in them. In order that the
rate maxine may be intelligently acted
upon by the board of transportation, the
country is divided into REGIONS with
regional boards whose duty in the
first instance shall be to advise the
hoard of transportation Of the needs
and necessities of their particular
sections.
at is provided that the roads in
times of emergency. as during Federal
control, shall have the right to pool
their traffic, have joint terminal
@acilities for ght and passenger
service, and in other words, to give
law that, while providing for a proper
and watchful Federal control of the
roads for the protection tf the pub
lie, will give such latitude to the
road as will enable them to meet the
requirements of our country"
Criticising the Plumb railroad plan,
Mr. Cuyler said II meant pub ic owner
shin OF the worst character, in which
labor would have so predominant a
control as to practically make railroad
workers the owners of the roads.
"There would be but one end to
such plan" he concluded. Sooner
or later an indignant public would
demand private ownership, as they are
demanding j. now. Ut meanwhile the
country would have received q most
expensive and appalling object lesson.
and do not believe the great body of
railroad employees understand Mr.
Plumb's proposition or would support
II if it was sQrare]y and intelligent
ly put before them"