New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1921-04-13
Cu1al11lins Asks
Senate to Hold
Railway Inquiry
Resolution Provides for
Sweeping Investigation
of Operating Expenses
and Revenues of Roads
President Favors Action
Opposition Expected to
Bill, Which Is Referred
10 Commerce Cs,,nlni,ic,'
From The Tribunc's Washington Bureau

4
WASHINGTON, April 12.-The
Cummins resolution for sweeping
investigation into the operating rev.
enues and expenses of the railroads
was introduced in the Senate to-day
1t was referred to the Interstate
Commerce Committee, of which Sen
ator Cummins is chairman, and efforts
will be made to report it and pass it
without delay. While there is talk
of opposition, Senator Cummins be
leves it will not block the inquiry.
1t is the purpose Of the inquiry to
20 into the reasons for the heavy
operating costs of the roads, the eff
cheney or inefficiency of railroad man
agement, the best means of bringing
about reduction in freight and passen-
ger rates, and other phases of the
transportation problem.
President Harding, referring to the
railroad situation in his message to-
day, said railway rates and costs of
operation must be reduced and that
Congress may we'll investigate and
let the public understand wherein our
system and the Federal regulations
are lacking in helpfulness or hinder
ing in restrictions"
The President and Senator Cummins
have talked over the transportation
troubles at length and are understood
to be closely in accord.
The Cummins resolution reads:
"That the Committee on Interstate
Commerce is hereby authorized and di-
rected to inquire into and report to the
Senate as speedily as practicable upon
the following matters, to wit:
''First-Thc operating revenues and
expenses of the railroads of the coun-
try which under the law make reports
to the Interstate Commerce Commits
sion. comparing these revenues and e.-
penses with like revenues and expenses
(including the period Of Federal con-
troll since 1912.
Second The reason which led to
the cN raordinarv cost Of maintenance
and operation from March /, 1920, to
March l. 1921.
"Third-The reasons which induced
the diminiehed volume Of traffic in the
latter part of the year 1920 and first
nection the influence of the increased
freight and passenger rates prevailing
during that period
"Fourth-The efficiency or ineffi-
cheney of railroad management durin e
Federal control and during the year
! beginning March |, 1920 and the eff
cheney or inethciency of labor employed
by the management during the same pc
rlOd.
'Fifth-The best means Of bringing
about a condition that will warrant the
Interstate Commerce Commission in re-
ducing freight and passenger rates.
Committee Given Full Powers
"Thc committee is authorized TO act
under this resolution either as a whole
OF through any subcommittee appointed
for the purpose; to subpoena witnesses
administer oaths. send for persons and
papers, and to employ counsel. experts
and stenographers. The expense in
CURED shall be paid from the con-
tingent fund OF the Senate, upon vouch-
ers approved by the chairman of the
committee"
A statement given out to-day by the
American Federation of Labor after a
conference with union leaders here said
that the four brothcrhoods Of rail
road employees had united with the
| federation "to defeat legislation mimi
cal to the rights of wage workers."
A committee representing the Amer
lean Federation of Labor and the
brotherhoods was named to consider
labor legislation.