New-York tribune., 1919-11-12
Both Democrats and Repub-
licans Voice Opposi-
ton When Debate of
Regulation Bill Opens
Esch Explains Measure
''Superstructure, Built OH
Well-Laid Plans.'' Chair
man of Committee Says

WASHINGTON. Nov. 11--Expres-
sions Of opposition in the House to-day
to government ownership of railroads
drew applause from both Democratic
and Republican members when debate
of the House railroad regulation bill
began.
After hearing proponents Of the
Plumb plan for government ownership.
with employee operation. the commit
tee was convinced that government
ownership was az. aud never can be the
solution OF the railroad probl en-" de-
CARED Representative Esch. Wisconsin.
chairman of the Interstate commerce
committee which framed the measure.
The applause he received was repeated
when others uttered similar Statements
The only suggestion of the transpor-
tation problem as a 1920 campaign is
sue was raised by Representative Sims
of Tennessee, ranking Democratic
committee plan, centering on the ex-
tension of the authority of the Inter
state Commerce Commi ssion, Mr.. Sims
reserved the right to offer a substitute
later proposing continuance of govern
ment control until the end OF 1921.
Passage Predicted by Saturday
by that time, the campaign will
nave passed, the Congress will have
been elected, labor will have gone
through its reorganization, and so will
Wall street." he sa; d.
Consideration Of tn bill was Legun
under a program calling for sessions
continuing late into the night. House
leaders hope the measure can be passed
by Saturday.
The debate developed opposition to
many features of the committee meas
ure. Representative Sanders, Democrat.
OF Louisiana. declared against it as
Fundamentally wrong" and likely to
result in the final burial OF steam
boats" Discussion was confined largely
10 explanation of provi ions creating
boards for the voluntary adjustment
OF labor disputes. with provisions for
collecting damages from carrier or
union violating q wage contract
Chairman Fsch described the bill as
"superstrUctare built on d plan that
had proved well laid" referring to the
Interstate Commerce Commission and
rast commerce acts
Bill Founded on Experiments
NO new or strange features are in
bis bill and it follows no untried
plan" Mr.. Esch declared I'VE build
en 1oundation already proved to have
neel we'll laid. retaining the adyan-
nat occurred during government cor
trol.'
NJ. Esch said all plans proposed to
The committee had embodied expert
'aents, though all. excepting that of the
iallway brotherhoods, agreed on return
- private operation.
Restoration of railroad credit is
arious problem, Mr. Esch declared. A
guilty minority" by "awfu finan-
eng" had shaken the investing pub
ic's confidence in rail securities, and
10 added that governmnet financial
aid during the period immed diately fol-
owing government control, as planned
by his committee will not cause loss Of
government funds, because rates must
pe such IS to produce revenue for the
carriers.
The House plan of creating tribunals
for voluntary adjustment of labor dis
putes was mo panacea for labor Ills"
NJ. Esch said, hut the fufillment Of
wage contracts, both by carriers and
employees, was so essential that pro-
visions for collection of damages for
violations of contracts had been in
cluded.
Mr. Esch also said that Interstate
Commerce Commission control over
future capital issues of carriers. as pro-
posed by the House bill, will prevent
repetition of the shameful histories'
of the Pcre Marquette, New Haven and
other roads.
Government acquisition OF railroad
.mmovable property of the carriers,