Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1919-02-20
CONGRESS DROPS
RAILROAD ISSUE
Senate Committee Suspends
Inquiries Into Problems
of Administration
NEXT SESSION WILL ACT
Neither U. S. Ownership Nor
Control Until 1924 Due
for Approval
NEXT SESSION WILL ACT

Washington, Feb. 20.--Congress will
attempt no legislative solution of rail-
road problems until the next regular
session, members OF the Senate Inter-
state Commerce COMMITTEES said today.
when open hearings, conducted since
early in January, were virtually con-
cluded
Chairman Smith announced that the
committee might hear other witnesses,
but that none was expected. He said
no action was contemplated on the
resolution of Senator Cummins, Of Iowa
TO prevent REIMBURSEMENT of the roads
before Congress acts.
The House Interstate Commerce Com
mittee had held no hearings on railroad
legislation this session and does not
plan TO do SO before December.
To Draft Full Program
The federal railroad control act will
expire twenty-one months after peace
is declared. Senators express confidence
That comprehensive program of gen.
eral railroad legis alton will be adopted
before the end of that period. Neither
outright government ownership nor ex-
tension of federal control until 1924
Will be approved 1t was almost unani-
hiVuoiS hlulCdteu Dy Ine senate conf
mittee. Opposition, likewise, is general
10 return OF the roads TO their owners
before Congress acts.
Exclusive national regulation of rail-
roads and their rates, administered
through agencies convenient to the
STATES was advocated in statement
presented today on behalf of Samuel
Rea, president of the Pennsylvania Rail-
road, before the Senate committee. Ill
ness prevented Mr.. Rea testifying in
person.
Wants No Labor Troubles
Private ownership and individual
operation should be continued with Fed
erel Incorporation ard regulation of se-
curity issues and important construc-
ton expenditures, the statement said
emphasizing the necessity for operation
OF the roads without Interruption from
labor troubles, it conterded that a secre-
tary of transportation should have
wage regulatory bosrd on which the
public, the employees and employers
should have equal representation
THE necessity for exclusive national
regulation Of interstate carriers" wrote
Mr.. Rea. "arises from the many state
and Federal regule tory laws and the
numerous commissions created have
seriously restricted the development of
the railroads and the country's business"
Opposition to government ownership
or continuance of the present control in
time of peace" was expressed by S. Fl.
Cowan. attorney sor the American Live
stock Association, who testified that
The people of the country are tired of
having their affairs run by ukases from
Washington.
"The powers of the railroad admins
tration to initiate rates and to get ap-
propriations from Congress-" he said,
"have caused inefficiency, with resulting
extravaganza and profligacy in eXpendi-
lures"
New York. Feb. 2O.--(By A. PO-
Settlement of the railroad control ques-
ton at the coming extra session of
Congress by return of the roads, under
regulation, to private ownership, was
urged in resolutions adopted here to-
day by the committee of seventy of the
National Association of Owners of Rail
road Securities. The meeting was at
tended by forty members of the COM
mittee, representing security holders in
all parts of the country.
The committee reindorsed the asso-
ciation's plan for return of the roads,
| as recently submitted to the Interstate
Commerce Commission, fundamental
! principles of which. it was declared,
! ave been widely ndorsed by shipping,
| land owning, financial, business and rail-
road interests,