New-York tribune., 1919-06-10
Hines Given
$750,O0O,O00
ToRun Roads
Director Generals Request
for $1,000, 100000 Held
Not To Be Warranted by
Committee of the House
NeW Tor1; Tribune
w binofo,, Pn,o1n

Washington Bureau
WASHINGTON, June 9.-The request
of Director General of Railroads Hines
for an immediate appropriation of
$1,000, 100000 with which to finance
government operation of American
railroads until the end OF 1919 was
denied to-day by the House Appropria-
tiOns Committee. The committee re-
ported out a bill appropriating only
$3.50, 100000 with which to cover known
deficits and to meet the needs of the
immediate futdre, in response to the
Director Generals request.
The testimony Of the Director Cen
eral' as to the purposes for which
large part of the requested appropria-
tlon was to be used the committee
round SO vague and indefinite that it
did not feel justified in making the
full appropriation at the present time.
When concrete figures are in hand they
will be submitted by the Director Cen
eral to the committee and new an
preparation bill will be framed prob
ably in the fall
There was feeling In the COM
mittee that, with business improving
and larger profits on freight traffic
in prospect, the railroad administra-
tion probably would not need the full
$1,000, 100000 appropriation, the re-
quest for which, it was admitted. was
based on a pessimistic view of the
situation.
Present Needs Provided
The committee believes" the report
said, that, by eliminating S45O,0OO,-
600 OF the new and increased estimate
of the Director General and appro-
prlating the sum of $75O,OOO 900, suit
able provision will be made for the
present and immediate future needs
OF the railroad administration. The
estimate of the Director General, taken
in connection with the previous an
preparation of $500, 100000, was based
upon caring for the necessities of the
entire period beginning with Janu-
airy l, 1918, and continuing to the
close OF the calendar year 1919.
Inc amount carried in this bill and
tne amount previously appropriated ag-
gregate s1,250,000,OO0. This sum NAV
not be sufficient to meet all of the re-
Qulremcnts of the railroad administra-
ton to December 81, 1919. The amount
carried by the bill is needed, however.
irrespective of what date the roads are
turned back to their owners.
ut is the opinion of the commit
tee that additional requirements are
80 indefinite and uncertain that the
appropriation therefor may we'll await
future action by Congress and the
needs for additional funds are more
clearly apparent--so much depends
upon the extent to which the railroads
are able to finance themselves and
upon operations for the remainder ri
the year.
Hines Upholds Estimate
The sum recommended in the hill
however, will meet the situation unit;
the latter part Of the calendar wear
when the railroad administration will
be in much better position to statt
what further amount the government,
will be called upon to appropriate f.
fulfill the provisions of the Fedora
control act.
The appropriation bill reported to-
day will be taken up in the House to-
morrow, when the army appropriation
bill is temporarily laid aside. The bill
| probably will be passed before night
fall.