The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-01-28
'CUMMINS BILL.
CURBS RIGHT TO
RETURN ROADS
Iowa Senator Introduces
Measure to Forbid Arbi-
trary Action by Hines.
CONGRESS- TO DECIDE
Present Time Limit Stays
Unless and Until It's
Changed by New Law.
WORKING OUT PROBLEMS
Next Head of Interstate Com
merce Committee Expects
Solution i'm a Year.
CONGRESS- TO DECIDE
WORKING OUT PROBLEMS
Special Despdtch TO THE sux.


WASHINGTON, Jan. 27.-Senator Cum
Minis Ia), who will be chairman of
the Senate Interstate Commerce Com
mittee in the sixty-sixth Congress, ad-
dressed the Senate to-day in support
Of a bill, which he introduced as an
amendment to the existing railway
control law. which forbids the relin-
quishment OF the lines by the United
States Railroad Administration in ad-
vance of date fixed by the law. except
upon the express direction Of Con-
gress. The proposed amendment fol-
lows:
That the Federal control of rail-
roads and transportation systems
herein and heretofore provided shall
continue for and during the period OF
the war and for one year and nine
months next following the date OF the
proclamation by the President OF the
exchange OF ratifications Of the treaty
OF peace, unless Congress otherwise
directs
Nc right to compensation shall ac-
. crue to such owners from and after
the date OF the REIMBURSEMENT OF the
property go relirQuished. whether re-
turned at the end of the said period
or sooner by direction OF Congress.
Reviews Pending LeGislatfOn.
Senator Cummins reviewed the pro-
posed legislation introduced in both
houses since the Government took the
lines and Mr. McAdoo's recommended
ton for n continuance OF Government
control for fve years.
MIR McAdoo stated with reasonabl
clearness when before our committee
that the railway systems probably would
be returned to their owners at the end
OF this session IL the extension Is not
granted" said Senator Cummins. NO
other fair Interpretation could be placed
on his language"
TT was my understanding that the
former Director-General only advanced
his personal views interposed Senator
Pomerene (Ohio).
That is all true" replied Senator
Cummins. but Director General Hines
since has said that the roads will be re-
turned My opinion is that the return
should not be allowed The sentiment
has been expressed by bankers and busi-
ness men that the return OF the roads
before wise legislation is enacted by
It has been declared that more than
ore-third Of the railroad mileage Of the
United States would be in the hands of
receivers within sixty days. Members
OF the committee believe that within a
year some enduring Government plan of
control can be arranged"
Thinks Extra Session Needed.
"Will an extra session Of Congress be
necessary TO effect such a result asked
Senator Thomas (Col).
I'm my Judgment a special session will
be necessary" answered Mr.. Cummins
II believe there should be an extra ses-
sion, but otherwise the committee could
work in the interim and thus make pos
sible the accomplishment of the desired
result within the year period
THE bill l propose gives the country
until twenty-one months after the war
to make new arrangements. This is the
80 me period as that fixed at present
Unless some such bill is passed and If
the President is guided by the advice Of
his Director-General the Cnite States
will see a financial cataclysm such as 1t
never witnessed before"
Senator Cummns urged the Senators
TO apply earnest scrutiny to his proposed
amendment as well 'as TO the general
problem and to prepare for early action
on the proposed restriction.