The Chattanooga news. [volume] (Chattanooga, Tenn.) 1891-1939, 1919-12-25
Wilson Ends Speculation as
to Time Of Handing
= Back Of Roads.
EXPRESS co.'s DIsSoLv WE'D
LEADERS in Congress Gener-
ally Approve Wilson'S
Action.

Washington, Dec. 25.--(A. Ply
alControI and operation of the nations
railroads, assumed by the government
- war measure two years AGE to-
morrow, will revert to the owners Of
Aths- railroad properties ne,,t March I
unlsss congress- by legislation fixes
IN -riisr date.
A President Wilson, through proc
famation issued last night fixing
March l as the date of the return,
but at rest speculation as to the time
of the handing back of the roads. The
president, In his last announcement
regarding the return, made in an ad-
hress to congress in May, sait he in
tended to turn back the roads at the
END of the present year.
By another proclamation, issued
with that I'm regard to the railroads,
the president ordered the dissolution
March / OF the American Railway
Express company, whichNwas formed
Puly l, 1918, under government direc-
tton by consolidation of the Adams,
american. Wells-F Fargo and Southern
companies.
Extension by two months Of the
announced time for return of the
railroads was made, said a statement
from the White House accompanying
the proclamation, because congress
had not enacted legislation to meet
conditions incident to the change in
control and operation. The presi-
dent, tho statement said, had been
advised neither the railroads nor the
Iexpress companies were ready to
manage their properties If the plan
Ito abandon government supervision
Dec. 81 should be carried out.
I'N Leaders In congress generally ex-
pressed approval of the presidents
laction. Some members predicted en-
Iactment of the pending bill in some
form would enable return prior to
March /. The Esch- -Cummins bill,
Inow In conference between the SEN
late and house for adjustment of diff
Iferences, would return the roads at
tho end of the calendar month in
which 1t was approved by the presi-
dent. ,lvy- 80
Extension Of the time before return,
Headers said. would allow congress
more time to consider the pending
llegislation and this fact, together with
the prospective struggle between the
two houses over antistrike and finan-
Icial guarantee provisions, some men,
lbers said. might work to prevent
final enactment during January. This
would result in the roads being
turned back on the date designated
Iby the president.
Chicago; Dec. 25.-Fixing of March
II rs the date on which the railroads
larc to be returned to private opera
ltion was approved by Hale Holden,
lregional director for the central west
land IA. n. Ashton, director for the
Inorfhwest region. Before the gov
|ernn1ent took over the railroads, Mr.
Holden was president of the Chi
|cago. Burlington & Quincy and Mr..
Ashton was at the head of the Chi
cago & Northwestern road.
"The roads should spend a billion
dollars year." said Mr.. Holden, ''for
at least five-year period in order
TO provide the country with an ade-
quate transportation machine. Ex-
tensions, improvements and addi-
tional equipment are sorely needed.
"On the legislation passed and the
action of the interstate commerce
commission in allowing rate increases
depend the roads chances of getting
these. At present it is difficult for
the roads to borrow. Financiers have
not had confidence IN railroad securi-
ties because of governmental attitude
toward them.
'If there is a disposition to permit
them to earn revenue sufficient to
warrant expenditures they will have
no trouble in borrowing the neces-
sary money. The fixing of date for
the return of the roads is a good
thing. 1t will dispel the uncertainty
which had handicapped the railroads
in the last few months.
Benjamin l.. Winchell, Sr., south
ern regional railroad director who is
spending Christmas with his son here,
said:
Il am sur ethe large majority of
the people will be glad to have the
date for hte return of the roads def
nitely settled"
Mr.. Winchell was formerly director
Of traffic of the Union Pacific.