New-York tribune., 1919-12-15
U. S. May Keep
The Railroads
After Jan. |
Indication of Intention of
President Looked For
This Week After Fight
Against Cllmmins Bill
New York Tribune
Washington Bureau

Washington Bureau
WASHINGTON, Dec 14.=Presiden mt
Wilson's intention regarding the re-
turn of railroads to private ownership
is expected to develop during the week
Leaders in Congress feel that before
Saturday. they will be in position to
say whether the Cummins railroad bill
can be put through the Senate. 1t is be-
lieved in the upper House that the
measure cannot be passed If sufficient
strength is indicated to defeat it Mr..
Wilson, it is expected, will send a
message to Congress declaring his in
tention to retain government control
of the carriers beyond January /, the
date he set for the return.
The President has given no positive
ndication of his position, although the
Cabinet and Director General Hines of
the railroad administration are ex-
ceedlngly eager to get an inkling of
what is to be done.
Early last week Mr.. Hines laid be-
fore the President a memorandum
which contained some information on
which he might be able to base any
communication he wished to make to
Congress-. This memorandum, it was
said tonight, was not to suggest any
date on which the roads should be
given up, but to present arguments
for and against their return on Jam
uary /.
Railroad Men Change Views
Up to few days ago railroad men
n ri,,r ~ ~
counts and begin private ownership
again on New Years Day Within the
last week this feeling has changed,
partly because of the delay in the
Senate on the Cummins bill and partly
because the railroads are the agencies
for the distribution Of coal. Until pro-
duction in the bituminous fields has
been put back to somewhat near nor
NAL their control by the government
IS deemed necessary.
There have been reports here recently
that some of the roads are bringing all
possible pressure to bear to have the
President announce the return of the
carriers on January l, but neither
White House nor railroad administra-
ton officials will admit their truth. The
more prosperous roads are anxious to
get back because they do not need con-
tinued government financial assistance
and because they realize the longer the
return is delayed the greater will be
the danger that return will not be
made at all. Most of them are said
TO want at least thirty days notice
before the roads are put back in pri-
vate hands, to prepare themselves for
the transition.
Delay Opposed in Congress
In Congress leaders do not want the
return postponed beyond January /, if
there is any prospect that general leg
islation can be put through before that
time. If the Cummins bill does
get through the Senate this week, how
ever, there is virtually no chance that
conferees from the Senate and House
would agree on measure before Jan
uary l, even though Congress sat
through the Christmas holidays and
waited for them
There is feeling among leaders that
if general Legislation is impossible be-
fore January l and the President noti-
fies Congress that the carriers 90
back then, there will De ample oppor-
tunity to put through emergency iegis-
lation providing for government finan-
cial assistance until the general meas
ure is passed. In their judgment, taken
C0ufiuued nm rlr0e three