El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1919-07-19
Congressman
To ThreSh Ont
Railroad TaalgIe
Railway Legislation VIII
Receive Concentrated
Attention.

Washington. D. c.. July 1s.-Ran.
road legislation viii receive the ear.
/ nest concentrated attention OF con.
gressional leaders with the prospec
that within two or three months q
definite program affecting the re-
turn Of the railroads to private own
erss1p and operation with federal
safeguard VIII be recommended tc
the house.
Chairman John J. Eseh. OF the COM
mittee on interstate and foreign COM
merce. which is studying the various
bills and recommendations with re-
gard to the railroad and general
transportation problem. says that
hearings viii be started on July %,
and that they probably Will continue
for more than a month.
It is already practically assured
that the railroads VIII be returned to
private ownership. operation and con-
troll Just as soon as II is practicable
1t IS certain that congress will insist
rpon federal regulation OF rates,
which authority viii continue with
the interstate commerce commission,
with the right OF prescribing mini
mum as vel as maximum rates.
No Fourth Section
Provisions also viii be written into
the law seeking TO protect and en-
courage inland water transportation.
coordinatinE the same with. the rail-
transportation. with through routes
and bills Of lading and point rates.
Also there will be legislative ar
rlngement for pooling of equipment
ard joint use OF terminals The fed
eral government VIII maintain a
strict control over the issuance Of Sc
clrities.
There is every indication that the
much discussed long and short haul
proposition. commonly known as the
fourth section. viii not be enacted.
At least in any very rigid form. The
l1gnt oeins made, especially BY con-
gressional delegations from the south
Atlantic and gulf states. for differ
entail rates. which will force a distri-
button OF commerce through the
southern parts instead OF having Il
congested in a couple OF center At
lantic ports. as was emphasized dur
IN the war emergency, will be given
Careful study Il is probable that the
subject VIII be placed Under control
OF the interstate commerce conmis-
sion. under some amendment 70 the
existing car service act with in
creased power over the use. control
and exchange Of euuiDnert
VII Present Plans.
me hearing VIII be held with a
view 10 closing them at the earliest
date practicable. II IS likely that
he hearings VIII run over a period /
of 4 month At least. though there are
many persons Woh desire TO be heard. I
Advocates OF probably a half dozen /
concrete plans which they desire to I
ay before the committee VIII be no.
-lfied to present witnesses These 4
plans are sponsored by the railway 4
executives. by the Railway Investors /
eague. Of which Davies Warfield Is +
he head, include the program pro
posed By the Investors league OF /
New York and Massachusetts,. the i
Plumb plan proposed by the. railroad /
lrotherh0ods. the plan outlined bv :
irector general Walker ID. Hines 4
n his recent testimony before the
enate committee on interstate com
nerce and the plan On the main fea-
ures CT which the chamber OF com
neree Of the United States is taking
referendum.