Evening journal., 1919-08-15
US. OWNED RAILS
AGAIN OPPOSED
National Chamber Of Com
merce Favors Control Un-
der U. S. Regulation
FEDERAL BOARD
Is APPROVED

Decisions adopted through a referen-
dun dealing with railroad legislation
places the Chamber Of Commerce of the
United States on record with a con
structiye and progressive program at a
moment OF widespread discussion OF
the railroad problem.
Attention is especially called 20 the
practically unanimous declartion Of the
organization members or the Chamber
against government ownership Of rail-
roads. out Of a total Of ii5S votes cast.
only II votes were recorded in favor Of
government ownership.
The board Of directors has appointed
a committee 30 conduct activities I'm
support OF the decision OF the Chamber.
consisting OF Messrs. George A. Post
OF New York city. Emory r. Johnson Of
Philadelphia and Harry A. Wheeler Of
Chicago. This committee will at once
present 60 the committees OF Inter
state Commerce Of both Houses OF Con
gress, the results OF the referendum and
The railroad program which the Ma
tional Chamber urges. This program
follows:
Adherence 20 the policy OF corporate
ownership and operation Of the rail
roads under a comprehensive system Of
government regulation.
Return Of the railroads 20 their own
ers as soon as remedial legislation can
he enacted and no extension Of the
period Of government operation unless
and Until Congress shall have found 10
impossible TO enact the required legis-
Btlon within the period possible under
The Railroad Control Act
+ Permission for tho railroads IN the
public Interest. when so declared and
ss approved by public authority. to
consolidate to such extent and in such
manner as may be necessary 10 enable
the existing railroads % unite I'm
limited number OF strong competing
systems. so located That each OF the
principal traffic centers Of the country
shall, n possible, be served by more
than one system.
= That railroad companies engaging In /
Interstate commerce be required TO
phange from state 10 Federal corpora
lions, with suitable provisions I'm the I
act Of Congress providing therefor that |
the several States shall retain the power !
OF taxation and police regulation OF tho |
Railroad properties.
THAT the Interstate Commerce Com
mission, or such Federal agency as NAV
be designated by Congress. he author |
lied TO pass upon the public necessity |
for expenditures OF capital in excess |
Of a stipulated amount) by carriers /
engaged in interstate commerce. and 10 |
determine the amount and 10 regulate !
the other conditions Of the issuance OF |
securities 20 obtain the funds required |
TO cover authorized capital expendi- |
lures; that a railroad applying to the |
Federal agency for authority 70 make |
capital expenditures. or TO issue securi- !
ties, be required 10 file with the proper |
authorities OF the States in. which the /
railroad is located, copies Of the orig /
inal petition. and that the Federal /
agency be required TO notify the state |
authorities Of the hearings upon the /
petition. in order that they may advise
Lhe Federal agency as to actions they
favor.
THAT the Interstate Commerce Com
mission be given authority by statute
70 regulate intra-State rates. when
Hose rates affect interstate commerce.
"Enactment Of a statutory rule pro-
viding that railroad rates and fares au-
ihorized by the Interstate Commerce |