New Britain herald., 1919-12-13
THE RETURN OF THE RAILROADS.

Lack of action on the several rail- |8hd bills now before Congress. and E8t1cipation of none before the date |E for their return, January i next, 8causlng much concern in executive HHcles. It is not felt that it will be 4ssible to draft a new bill before the he of return and it is said that a8sre IS a current of disfavor setting |8cl< the Cummins bill, recommended |9 passage by the Senate committee VI Interstate Commerce. There may 8 a compromise effected, and a piece 3 patchwork legislation passed before Ab new year but, what is more prob He, it is thought that the return IRy be put off until next spring or
 mmer.
 |&rhe Cummins Bill, before the Sen 8e, and the Esch Bill, before the 8buse, are the two prominent con- 2hders for approval of Congress. It H brought against the former that it
 Is not the proper provisions for the
 Element of labor disputes. Sena-
 I4aFollette is leading the attack on &e measure in the Senate and was ' Nheduled to speak today, after taking host four days proceeding to deliver
 s opinions. He characterizes sec
 ms which apply to labor as being Hceedingly vicious. The board pro- He'd for to settle labor disputes is NenIy divided between the owners and #e workmen but there is no provi-
 bn for an employe upon the Trans
 rtation Board a court of last resort
 the adjustment of disputes.
 The Esch Bill in> the House is Neeting with little approval, A com
 omise bill, written in conference,
 q possibly containing features in no
 her bills appears to be the final solu-
 bn. though arguments on the new 1ll. which are sure to arise, will
 event action within the desired he.
 Should the roads be returned with
 Eoper legislation for the making of Mtes it is claimed that many of them &ouid be imm ediately forced into the Xands of a receiver, that the expense, brne by the government, could not be Hstained by d private corporation hd that bankruptcy would be the &nlv alternative The Esch Bill orig : ally contained a rule for rate mak- gNbut it was stricken out before the ouse passed it. The Cummins Bill i &so takes into account the matter of |ates, but this clause might be lost l conference. Itsis hoped that the resident will, within the next few 3hys, send his promised message on @ @ailroad legislation to Congress and 1lggest a course of action. At any Hate, if the message is forthcoming, ! e may further put off the date for he return. --
 Should the roads be given back to heir owners on January l and there mo provisions for the making of Eites, the country will actually face l very serious prcdicament, which lrifl ultimately result in a great crip- Hing of transportation facilities through the failures of the roads. Expenses have been piled upon them, |oling stock has not been rcplenr |hed and there is great need of it. |IilIions must be spent in new equip here are millions more going forth in he pay envelopes than was the case (efore the war. The government has (een operating the systems at a loss Ind they are in need of the eNpendi- kre of much more money, oyer and boye the deficit which is certain on lnany lines.
 The condition of affairs is such that \ kublic interests demand proper legis htion before the return is attempted. It is certain that we will havo no Fheaper rates, for a time at least and Ke should have them curbed by gov Ernment action to a fair rate of Rarning for the road. It is as import l mt that rates be governed as that labor be regulated. Uncle Sam had best keep his property until he can Eeturn it with some degree of assuH Ence of future operation.
 WILLIAM H. HART.