The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-01-08

statement said there should be leeisla-
tive provision for prompt merger with
out friction, of railroads in time OF war
or other emergency, and also limited
merger ito such extent as may be neces-
sary to the general public interest
Under Government supervision. liriita-
ton OF railway construction to public
necessity and enforcement Of adequate
construction within these limits and de-
| velopment of inland waterways and their
coordination with rail systems.
In its statement presented TO the Sem
ate Interstate Committee at its hearing
on railway legislation. by Commissioner
Edgar T.. Clark, the Interstate Com
merce Commission says:
Considering and weighing as best
we can all OF the arguments for and
| against the different plans we are led
to the conviction that with the adoption
OF appropriate provisions and safeguards
fer regulations under private owner
| ship, II would not he wise or best at
| this time to assume Government owner
ship or operation OF the railways OF the
! country"
The commission declared. however
that "a reasonable period OF readjust-
| ment or preparation" should be allowed
before REIMBURSEMENT of Federal control.
1T seems obvious" said the state
ment," that no plan OF private owner
ship should be considered unless It is
under broadened, extended and ampli-
! u,',,t ~ ~ '. g.. ..., -.
! "a = Wv az = u''i'te ~
/ railroads to private management the
commissions statement says:
me Ia" provinces 'nat reueraI con
| WI s'a'i NOT continue oeSouu '"e"t!
one months at'er the PRONUNCIATION OF
| trpnty of Deare The ~ iedOrf1 nj tlu
| providing reasonable period AFTER tho
passing of the imperative necessity of
our Government In actual prosecution OF
warfare within which TO readJust or
| make preparations for readjustmsnt of
trafflc conditions and TO round out or
prepare financial arrangements is hardly
open to question.
Carriers properties formerly compos-
ing a system. are now under the juris-
dictIon OF two or more regional directors
! or Federal managers the current OF
traffic has I'm some instances been ma
terially changed and financial commit
cations exist. Comparatiyely few con-
tracts for Comncrsation have been per.
fected between the traneportation COM
panies and the Government.
on,o.., O., HAT,
our expression in favor OF return 10
| ~ iN'tc wv hei SHip anu opcidtioil ls
therefore not TO be understood as favor
ing a return OF the properties in pre-
clpitate way. A reasonable period OF re-
adjustment or preparation should be af-
forded and reasonable notice should be
gwen that upon n given date the proper
Ties Will be restored to their owners.
Manlfestly, from social standpoint
as well as from the standpoint OF the
nature of the employment and because
OF the great Importance to the public as
well as TO the railroads OF loyal and
devoted service on part Of the employees
the railroad employees should be ade.
quate'y compensated"
Commissioner Clark. answering ques
tons by Senators, explained that in de
lining reasonable rates" to provide al.
eQUatc return to railroads. would take
into consideration invested capital o
the roads lie said the commission fat
no thought that Congress would re
Irrc several years TO act on the sug
cested legislation OF the commission