The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1919-01-04
RAILROADS WILL
continued from Page One,


period of scomposure under unified
control WHICH would be highly bene-
fetal. Evidently it is in the minds of
every one,i even with war conditions,
to judge us by the test of whether we
earned deficit this year. II earnings
are to be the standard, let us get a
test under peace conditions to deter
mine the benefits of unified control
and to show what the remedies are"
AS the quizzing of McAdoo APP
preached an end, the Republicans be-
came shapre than ever in their hurl-
ing of questions at him. Just before
he left the stand, he launched into a
final plea for his five year plan.
His Final Plea.
1.-THE American people are entitled
to this test We have spent a lot of
money to win the war and lot of
this,was put on the railroads, because
of the inefficiencies of private manage
ment," he said. ut seems a pity to
throw away all we have gained and
hit on a makeshift. We spent over
a billion dolalrs on the merchant fleet
to give American producers and labor
fair rewards for their toll and enter
prise by getting into the markets of
the world in a friendly rivalry with
other nations.
IF we deliberately surrender our
advantage to make the railroads func--
ton with the ships at once, we have
Would lose the opportunity for world
leadership in commerce and trade
Attack Permit System.
Committee members attacked the
permit system, which McAdoo de-
clared was a necessary reform which
could be maintained only under gov
eminent operation.
1.-The permit system could be main.
tanned in peace time under proper leg
t-l@ o.
asked.
II think So" McAdoo answered
Senator Underwood, Alabama, asked
if the permit system is. necessary in
peace time. \
McAdoo answered that the permit
system should be held as a reserve
emergency power to be used when con-
ditions demanded.
There is d serious lack of passen-
ger equipment. but we have an ade-
quate supply of freight cars" McAdoo
stated in answer to question by
Senator Smith, South Carolina.
az have received serious complaints
from live stock shippers in the central
west" Senator Chmmins, Iowa, said.
McAdoo explained that shippers had
flooded the market because of the
favorable prices and that this might
have caused congestion temporarily.
McAdoo was eager to finish the
hearing to leave for California,
Owners Will Fight.
Washington, Jan. 4-Railroad own
ers and directors will fight Director
General McAdoo's plan to return rail-
roads promptly to- private control il
government operation is not xtended
for five years by congress.
McAdoo appeared before the senate
interstate commerce committee again
today for an hours grilling on the
question of railroad control Spokes-
men for the railroads will appear
Monday to oppose McAdoos sugges-
tions and to present alternative plans
for return of the railroads to private
control. Railroad presidents will meet
in Philadelphia Sunday to complete
details of the program they expect to
lay before the senate committee.
A. P. Thorn. counsel for the associa-
ton of railway executives, probably
will explain the railroad point of
view. He is opposed alike to a five
year extension of government opera
ton and to an immediate turning back
of the roads without allowing time
for proper readjustment.
Wants to Control Them.
Warning against evils of unrestrain-
ed competition, Director G eneral Nc
Adbo today urged congress not to
throw the railroads back to their many
wners-uncontrol1ed.
McAdoe, in appearing before the
senate INTERSTATE commerce cOnnlIlee
faced a sharp fire from Senator Kel<
logg, Minnesota.
Evils of competition are very
grave" said McAdoo. They are as
grave as regards the favoritism of the
largeA as against the small shipper.
Competition is not an unaltered bless
ing"
Existing rates would continue in
event the railroads are turned back to
private control, McAdoo told the COM
mittee.