The sun., 1919-10-14
HINES ASKS ACTION
ON RAILROAD POLICY
Tells Chairmen Of Senate and
House Committees Suspense
Hurts Efficiency.
SEES DANGER IN DELAY
Fears Members of Congress
Are Not Impressed With
Necessity Of Speed.
SEES DANGER IN DELAY

WASHINGTON, Oct 13.---The operations
OF the railroads after they are returned
to their owners will be seriously i'm
paired unless Congress speedily ends the
present uncertainty and suspense by
Passing legislation fixing the future rail-
road policy of the country. Director
General Hines warned to-day in let
ter to Senator Cummins Uowa), and
Chairman Esch (Wis). Of the Senate
and House Interstate Commerce commit
tees.
| The present delays, he said. add to the
probability of a serious impairment OF
service next year by virtually suspen l.
ing improvements and the acquisition of
equipment and by imperilling the morale
| of the railroad organization
| Mr.. Hines announced his opposition to
any continuance of governmental opera
ton beyond January /, 1920. the date set
by the President for the return of the
lines, claiming this would not be rem
edy for the situation. as it would only
increase the uncertainty and suspense.
The Government is not able to make the
| improvements or acquire the additional
| equipment the roads need because or
lack of appropriations. but is keeping UP
the general maintenance Of the lines, no
insisted.
| Mr. Hines made no recommendation
as to future Government regulations
He stated that he believed the two In
trrstate Commerce committees realized
the seriousness of long delays but that
this had not been impressed upon other
members of Congress.
Early Action Doubted.
Many Congressional leaders have ex-
pressed doubt that railroad Legislation
car be passed before the regular ses-
| sion which opens the first week in De-
cember, but Mr.. Esch and Mr.. Cummns
will confer with Senate and House lead
ers this week to determine what action
will be taken.
Mr.. Illness letter follows:
II know you are exceedingly anxious
to press the railroad legislation to the
earliest possible conclusion. II occurs
to me that you may naturally find that
there are Legislators that have not fol-
lowed the subject as closely as you have
and who may not have an equal appre-
citation OF the reasons why the public in
terest necessitates the earliest possible
solution. ! therefore write this letter to
point out that delay in legislation will
seriously impair the public service by
virtually suspending improvements and
the acquisition Of equipment and by seri-
ously imperilling the morale of the rail-
road organization.
Pending the passage or 1ailroad legis-
lation uncertainty naturally exists. Such
uncertainty makes II impossible for the
Government to plan or carry forward
necessary additions and betterments and
TO acquire essential new equipment. And
such uncertainty likewise makes it I'M
possible for the railroad compan: 5 u
make such prepara:iC-s.
'1n order to keep abreast of the
growth of business in this country, it Is
indispensable that the railroads should
continue to spend large sums in the ac-
! QUESTION OF new equipment In the year
OF two prior to the beginning of Federal
control this work was largely arrested
by the difficulties of securing materials
and labor, and also by the difficulty oil
securing new capital. During the year
1918 this work was largely restricted t.
things which could be promptly done and
which would have a relation to winning
the war and also restricted by the scar
city of materials.