New-York tribune., 1919-12-25

the roads on January l as he had
origina ly planned.
II think it was very wise thing to
do said Senator Cummns, discussing
the Presidents action. at was just the
thing that ought TO nave been done.
II am sure that there vii be legisla-
tion for the return of the roads be-
fore March l. If the onferees can
agree at all, we can come to an agree
ment in two months time The con-
terence committee, though, am sure
will agree on legis alton. and it viii
De adequate legis alton. in much less
shan that time"
The two proclamations issued by the
President, one for tho return of the
railroads and the other for the return
OF the express companies, were similar
IN form, the only variations being
those Necessary to distinguish the
properties over which the government
is to relinqush control
Hines Given Full Authority
Flu authority to execute all meas
ures necessary to carrying out the or
Ger is conferred on Director General
ZINES or his succ ,ssors, inc uding
agreements on compensation, until
otherwise provided for by the presi-
dent or acts of Congress
Immediately after the procamations
were given out Director General Hines
sent the fo lowing message to all Of
hcers 9nd emp oyees of railroads now
being operated by the governments:
"The proclamation which the Presi-
dent has issued fixes March 1 as the
date for trar sfcr Of the raj roads back
to the possession and control of the
raj road companies. | appeal to every
officer and every emp oyee to rcdouble
his efforts to produce the best and the
Tost economical raj road service pos
sib during the remaining period of
Federal control.
Daring the unusually heavy busi-
ness of the past few months and the
extraordinary difficulties created by
the ccal strike the officers and en-
Dloyees Rave done especially fine work,
30 that with more confidence than ever
before | express the hope that all
Of us Will give the very best account
of ourselves in this remaining period
in our con mon interest and in the
public interest. | extend to all Of my
comrades in the rairead service and
their families my sincere wishes for
q Merry Christmas and a Happy New
Year"
Legal and Financial Problems Faced
AS there has been little change in the
staffs of the various railway systems
since the. passed under government
control, no operating troubles are
looked for when the chance is made,
but serious legal and financial problems
must be met and solved. For several
months after March greatly in
creased personnel. left to the roads
as a troublesome legacy from the rail-
road admin stration. will have to be
retained. There will be much account
ing and balancing of books. and fre-
quent appeals to legal authority. The
government is expected to choose
Swager Sherley, former chairman of
the House Appropriations Committee
and now director of finance for the
rF J." @" "@n, Nistraticn to wind ~ its
railroad business, and the corporations
dO.~e-~ IS " sc.Cc, .ncli UcSl men
to work with him in order to expedite
the severing Of the bond
The express companies are also in
for season of trouble One of their
knnstlest problems relates to the
legality of continuing their present
comolnation: Under Federal control
the companies have been consolidated
and the four original corporal ons have
asked the Department of Justice for a
ru ing on the question whether thev
can remain unit without violating the
sherman antitrust law