Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1919-01-09
Private Ownership With
Strict Government Regu-
lstion Urged.
WOULD ADD NEW
CABINET MEMBER
Representative Of Managers Urges
Adoption Of Plan by Congress
Would Enlarge Powers Of Interstate
Commerce Commission, Permit Mer-
gers and Pooling, and Prevent
Strikes.

Washington, Jan. "a comprehcn-
sive program for private ownership
and management OF railroads under
strict government regulations was laid
before the senate interstate commerce
committee by r. Dewitt Cuyler, chair
man of the association Of railway ex-
ecutives, representing al! the leading
roads in the United States.
The plan includes provision for
merging systems, a large measure OF
unification of operation, pooling of ia
cilities and in certain cases OF earn
irgs, and enforcement of adequate SER
vice under provision Of a secretary Of
transportation, A new cabinet office.
with the interstate commerce commits
sion acting as a supreme court OF re-
view of rate disputes.
Wage and employment disputes
which could rot be settled between
employees and managements would be
referred to an adjustment, board within
the department Of transportation under
the plan, and strikes AMI walkouts for
hidden pending Investigation.
Opposed to McAdoe Plan.
Most operating reforms effected dur
ing unified management by the railroad
administration would be continued.
The executives object to Director Gen
eral ,McAdoo's proposal for five years
extension of government control Their
suggestions ara similar 20 the recon-
mcndations Of the interstate commerce
commission, presented to the senate
committee at hearings earlier TINS
week.
-The fundamental and essential pui :
pose to be accomplished Is to furnish
the public WITH safe, efficient and ad-
eouate transportation at the loWes'
cost consistent with such service
said Mr.. CuyIer. reading to the com
mittee a prepared statement. "aud with
due regard to the just interests of the
owners and employees and also ade-
o,1ate to the nations needs even IN
times Of great national emergency oi
peril
He declared that whatever plan OF
policy should be adopted provision
should be made for adequate service
for the country's needs, for necessary
construction with prevention OF waste
nv iniudicious road building. for con
solidations when dictated by pupiic
interest, and "for rate structure
which will provide sufficient revenues
and create sufficient credit to accom- :
plish these purposes"
vate ownership management and oper-
ation of the American railways should
q, a matter Of national policy. be cons
tinued."
ENLARGED Powers For Board.
"The power Of regulation Of the in
strnmentalities OF interstate commerce
as TO all things substantially afrectlns
them. including all rates. state and IN
terstate. should be exclusively in 'he
hands OF the national government
state commissions should not be inter-
fered with by the federal act except
so far as necessary to carry out TIE
purposes herein mentioned:
"The interstate commerce commits
sion should set as a. quasi judicial bouy
clothed with authority to pass upon AL
questions concerning the reasonable
ness and adequacy OF rates and con-
cernins determinations.
"No,new or branch lines of railroad
or large and expensive terminals
should be constructed unless ccrtifi-
cate Of public convenience and neces-
sity is frst obtained from the secre-
tary OF transportation. The executive
and administrative functions Of the in
.erstate commerce commission except
a, to accounting and as to federal val
uation Of railroad properties, should
be transferred to the secretary OF
The carriers should
have the power to initiate rates. sched-
u,es of which should be filed with the
interstate commerce commission witt
the secretary OF transportation and
with the state commissions in which
the rates are applicable"