Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1919-01-08
GPPOSl:S INDEFINITE PERIOD
OF GOV EH NNiE.NI OPERATION

ne commission opposed indefinite
continuance Jf government ownership
or operation of railroads at this time
| ana outlined a comprehensive plan for
iegislation which would permit ciimi-
pooling Of facilities, government pre-
scriDtion OF maximum and minimum
,ates and standards OF service. govern
nent direction OF railroad extensions
and financing and direct co-operation
between Federal and state regulatory
bodies.
part, advocating Director-General Me
Adoos proposal that government CON
troi be extended for five years.
The Interstate Commerce Commits
sions suggestions were the first alter
natives TO Mr.. McAdoo's extension plan
so fnr received by the Senate Com
The Interstate Commerce Commits
sion's statement to the Senate com
mit,ee referred repeatedly to FED
era. er.r Doay 10 exercise public control
whether this was to he the commits
sion I itself or some other agency.
The plan of the railroad executives
on the other hand. proposes to give 10
the secretary of transportation broad
powers TO coordinate and unity rail
taGiii.ies Whenever demanded by the
over various lines for the purpose OF
relieving congestion anu TO require the
joint use OF terminals.
COMMISSION WOULD REMAIN
COURT OF LAST RESORT
To coordinate the agencies of gov
ernment control, the railroad exccu-
tlNes propose TO transfer to the de-
fartment OF transportation the ex-
ecutiVe ana administrative functions
70" ned by the Interstate Commerce
Comm mission.
The commission would remain the
court or last resort as TO reasonable
Eess ana adequacy OF freight and pas
senGer rates. but the responsibility for
rate regulation would be divided be-
81 80 rAA.
the commission and new regional COM
missions representing groups OF states.
reporting their findings 10 the com
mission at Washington.
The proposal of the railroad lead
ers is that rates filed by them with
me government shall be reviewed by
,aa,. rhe seere.ary of transportation. who
Ter them 10 the commission.
TO make possible consolidation Of
weak railroads with strong lines. joint
use or cars and facilities, intercompanv
agreements as to rates and Drocti ices
me tne raj executives would amend ex-
lsthng nnh lays lays forbiddng these practices.
ana ieGaEze them under supervision of
the secretary of transportation Other
features OF the railroad proposal in
road companies, Federal control OF
raiiroad security issues. and establish
ment o; Federal wage board
PROPOSES EIGHT SUBJECTS
FOR CONSIDf;RATI
In tho event OF adoption by Congress
or the policy of private ownership and
operation under government reEula-
ton, the Interstate Commerce Commits
sion proposed eight subjects for leg
is!ative consideration:
removal OF some Of the present
limitations on united or cooperative
activities among rail and water car
riers; emancipation of railway ope-a-
tion from financial dictation; govern
ment regulation of security issues;
establishment Of new relations between
Federal and State authorities TO eiimi-
nate the existing twilight Zone of
jurisdictions; restrictions governing the
with noncompetitive traffic: efficient
utilization and pooled purchases of
cars and locomotives; more liberal and
common use OF terminal facilities; and
limitat tions within which common car
rier faculties and service may be fur
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