Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1919-12-31
Two Months of Gracc

A. DILATORY Congress has been given
"A sixty more days by the President i'll
which TO legislate on program for return
ing the railroads TO their owners. Already
the two houses of Congress have passed
measures TO this end but the bills acted upon
widely different that the country is
unable to foresce what sort OF Il plan the
committee on conference will bring forth or
what sort OF plan that committee will be
able finally to pass through the House and
sSenate.
Because OF this acute uncertainty and be-
cause of the inevitable loss of time which
must yet be suffered, there was no other
safe course for the President to follow. Seven
mont MS ago he gave notice TO all interests
concerned that December 81 he would
bring the governments control OF the rail
roads TO end, and would deliver these
properties once more to the corporations
which own them. But Congress was too
deeply concerned in defeating The treaty OF
peace TO give its attention to the vital do
mestic problems pressing for solution. The
House acted railroad bill with reason
able promptncss, but the Senate waited until
the last minute before Senator Cummins
could induce it even to debate the draft of
measure which his committee had sub
mitted.
II the railroad investor, the railroad man
aeer, the shipper and the passenger are i'm
patient over the situation now created: il the
country as whole is disappointed that the
government has not retired from the opera
'len OF the transportation system. the blame
must be visited on Il time-kiling CONGRESS-
not on the President himself or course
Mr.. Wilson could even now throw the rail
roads back upon their owners without legis-
laflon, but he knows, as does every thinking
man that such action would be exceedingly
dangerous and might result In a series of
disastrous receiverships.
short time ago the President received
petition from certain labor and farming
interests urging him TO exercise his authority
to keep the railroads under government CON
troll Tor another year, and, perhaps two, in
order that the country might have this favor
able opportunity 10 test the value OF such
control IN normal times. 1t was argued
with effect, mat Federal operation OF the
transportation system had not been given n
lar trial; that no opportunity had been at
lorded TO determine with certainty whether
government management was successful ar
otherwise, and that it would be mistake TO
surrender the roads Just now, when the coun-
try was resuming its normal state
But the President evidently feels that. no
IS duty bound 10 end the wartime control
OF the railroads as soon rs possible now that
war conditions have passed and the emer-
Sehcy under which these properties were
taken no longer exists r. pcacc-ti,ne mara
lion OF the roads seems desirable. he indi.
Gates, Congress should lcgslatc to that end
not place upon him all the responsibility for
n!"h'ls Such test as mas been urged. And
Congress has moved TO terminate govern.
meht control OF the railroad system. T,uc
il has not lcgslated finally, but II has f1nd
us polic!, ana the President would scarcely
oe lu-I!A'' IN view OF what has been done
pA the rouse and Senate. in granting Tho
petition OF the labor leaders