The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1919-01-04
OPPOSE EXTENSION
FEDERAL CONTROL
Director General McAdoo
Urges Government Opera
: ton of Railroads
FOR ANOTHER 5 YEARS.
Senate Committee Doubts Adj
ministration s Right to Take
Over Carriers in Peace
Time.
FOR ANOTHER 5 YEARS.

Washington. Jan. 3.-Opposi-
ton to Director General OF Rail-
roads NcAdoo's proposition for
6vc-yenr extension of the period
ef government operation Of the
roads developed early in his mp
pcarnncc today before the senate
committee on Interstate conn
nerve. and continued through
out the session.
The opposition took two different
lines of development. Senators I'm
derwood and Pomerene, OF the Demo-
cratic majority, repeatedly sought to
Obtain from him an admission that
extension OF the present arrangement
with the railroads was impossible
during peace.
Il am clear that congress had the
authority to take over the roads TO
operate them during the war emer-
gency. and has the authority to take
over the title to them and operate
them at any time" said Senator
-PaaeTeae- ia -McAdoar-:Bat-I LIN
not clear about the right to take over
their operation in peace time, leav-
ing the ownership in private hands"
Has Right to Condemn.
The government has the. right to
condemn the property under*its right
OF eminent domain" Mr.. McAdoo re-
piled.
Yes said Senator Underwood.
But a five-year extension of the
presen, arrangement. which Is in eff
feet lease, isn't a condemnation, as
| understand it, The government
isn't condemning the roads. it's sim
ply operating them under wartime
necessities"
Senator Cummins led the opposi-
ton along the other line. He asked
t. -nt lrxs. n
work out the solution Of the railroad
problem. wouldn't you have recon-
mendation in six months
YES" retorted the director gen.
Grad. 'if you'iI leave II to me"
Don't you think congress can do
what you CAM"
The directorgeneral was doubtful
When you've so many conflicting
theories and have to bring 500 minds
Mr.. McAdoo You ought TO know
more about congress than do"
Startlcs Committee.
An early statement of the director
general had startled t5e committee
and brought sharp line OF questions
from Senator kellogg, who swung
into line with Senator Cummfns on
the basis that the extension OF gov
eminent control was unnecessary. as
tn6 LWeHty-ONc Woutu ss'c
congress plenty Of time to determine
The future relationship OF the govern
ment and the roads.
TT the time az government opera
ton is not extended. believe the
roads should be turned hack to their
private owners MS soon as possible.
said Mr.. McAdoo.
DO you mean that you'd turn the
roads back to their owners without
reference to the possibility Of con-
gress reaching a final solution of the
problem within the twenty-one
months?" asked Senator Cumm'ns,
and. again. later asked Senator Kei-
logg7 :,
what I mean is that the condi-
tons OF operation are such under the
present agreement with the war
necessities removed, that II will be
better in the public interest to turn
the roads hack at the earliest possible
moren,, considering all factors In
volyed." answered Mr.. McAdoo, avoid
ing sNpv direct statement on the inn
mediate question. However" ne
added, "Pr LAYING the mantle Of
railroad authority aside as RAPIDLY as
possible and that will he a matter for
the president tor<decide. advised by
whoever shall Re my SUCCESSOR
Resume Hearing Today.
The hearing began at IL A. NJ ana
continued until Ave, with only brief
recess for lunch. Mr.. McAdoo will
be before the committee again at ton
Continued on Pagp Two.)