Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1919-03-31
lSpccia, to The Times. Dispatch. !


WASHINGTON. March 3C.-Risid and
far-rcachiuS control by The Federal
!, government OF the interior system OF
transportation is to take the place OF
government operation of the ccuntry's
railroads ana If 1t succeeds it is to
serve as a bulwork agains; govern
mcnt ownership.
I'laus and purposes for The DISPOSE
ton Of The railroads have maturcd TO
such point that this statement may
hr made Vita little OF no reservation.
Not only is the administration leaning
in That general direction. but the POW
crful committees of Congress which
zeal with questions Of Interstate trans
-puriation arc IN agreement upon tho
general rrupo tUou THAI regulation If
more sweeping sort than ever before
Inc country is Ia venture nrou - rev
S"iutionory a poles rs government
ownership.
When Congress rcconNcncs these
committees will proceed With the ir.m-
ing OF regulatory legislation. They
MIL take up All The in. rGr%iiaIs m r'nIi
as the conservative, and there is every
reason now to believe that The rail-
road bills VIII have first place ON the
calendar of genera! lcgiSiation The
emergency appropriation bills must b."
acted upon ahead OF an else. aii.Gr
'rtHN RAILWAYS BACK TO
OWNERS DURING WEAR
:, is now an accepted fact THAT the
administrai Jon Will be ready 10 turn
The railroads back TO Tn, " owners be-
Il re the end OF the year.
- If tho administration informs Con
Sre;s carly in the session that II is
that statement viii Immediately Kill
an bending hills designed to force
ures out OF the way. the Interstate
Commerce Committees may concentrate
upon legislation for the future super
vision OF the railroads, which is exact
~ what the congressional leaders want
TIE fact. moreover. tina; the rail-
roids arc soon 10 he handed back to
thair owners means that regulatory
legislation cannot be long deferred II
Dutore the properties return to private
,outro. There will be a great deal Of
The matter OF roadjus,ine railroad
finances and in securing the govern
ment's Investments in the roads. Bu;
if the railway corporations were 10
receive their properties under present
conditions and then within six months
OF a year lind themselves confronted
with an entirely new program OF rcgu-
iation they would he confused 10 The
point OF distraction.
MUST CREATE: LAWS BEFORE
TRANSFER Is MADE TO OWNERS
10 .sTf na The neW nfGS
must be upon the statute books before
takes place. The administration Will
urge this The railroad owners will
urge it, and leaders. in Congress seem
Ting ready now 10 bring GU; bills early
in the session extending, the govern :
ments peace time control of the roads
and perhaps. In the same measure.
project the enormous wartime inNesh-
thcniS which the government had made
And in legiSlatin,e upon this question
congress viii undoubtedly give care
full consideration to Director General
Hines suggestions. In so far he has
stated them III concrete form. they
/. More intimate contact between
IN. regulating body: that is. the In
ttrstatc Commerce Commission, and the
Q. a. standard OF return to the rail
road investor even 10 the extent OF
ant.e for the attraction OF sufficient
capital TO adequately finance the prop
~ ). Government representation on tho
boards OF directors OF the railroad cor
porations. these directors u constitute
an important part OF the regulating
body which prcscribes the rates
CoNsoiMDATE INpnoFlTAnlE
y WITH THOSE MAKING NONE,
{, The consolidation Of the railroads
into, comparatively few. great rail
road corporations, each Of which will
so combine the prosperous and the
unproSperous as TO present fair aver
hopeless diversity in cariiings which
has existed in the past.
This plan provides for vast funda-
ncnt:l changes in the. organization OF
the American railroad system. Il would
practically 'ylimi.satc competitive con
ditions Tor one thing. 1t would
ing single geographical area into
one. And ii would make the govern
ment the SuarantOr OF all railroad
earnings. Il fact so important that It's
effect upon the future of railroad opcr-
+ alton can scarcely be overStatcd.
There arc other more or less con-
crete proposals pending before Con-
eress. however, some OF them even
i more radical than those submitted for
public consideration by the director
general. For example, there is the old
plan OF issuing Federal charters to the