Arizona republican., 1921-05-24
RAIL EXECUTIVES
 OPPOSE CHANGE IN
 1920 CARRIER ACT
STATEMENTS FILED BY LEADING RAILROAD OFFICIALS EXPRESS MEASURE OF OPTIMISM FOR FU- TURF OF CARRIERS
Especial to Tho RepubIican)

WASHINGTON. D. C.. May 23.- The railroad inquiry before the senate committee on interstate commerce was resumed this morning All the executives who have so far test1fied have stressed the point that the dlffl- cuities of the railroads during the past year and a half have largely grown out of the abnormal expense forced upon them. and which they were unable to meet even from the increased rates approved by the in- terstate commerce commlSslon-
 Nessrs. T. Dewitt Cuyler. chair man of the Association of Railway Executives: Julius Kruttschnltt, chairman of the board of the south ern Pacific company. Daniel Willard, president of the Baltimore and Ohio railroad. and A. H. Smith, president of the New York Central railroad, have now filed with the senate com mittee a series of statements setting forth the belief of these executives that the railroad problem will be worked out satisfactorily under the existing law, and manifesting measure of optimism in regard to the future outlook
 Mir Kruttschnitt in his statement says in part:
 T do not want to be understood as nS$EimfStlc. DeteNe that liic Situd- ton is clearing and will gradually clear. and that readjustment of the operating expenses of the railroad ds win produce a much brighter outlook and make if possible to effect more establishments of rates with conse- ouent benefit to commerce and in- ~dustry generally.
 '1 believe the transportation act of 1920 was one of the best pieces of work that congress has ever done, and I should be extremely reluctant to see the act modified amended or changed before it is given fair chance to prove what 1t can do. was a firm believer. and am still, Tn the act There may be some points where the machinery is still operating with friction on some hot journals, but I think that wear will smooth them down, and it ought to be oper- ating well. l should dislike extreme lv now to see it tinkered with or changed" In his statement for the record Of . the senate committee, MT: Willard of the Baltimore and Ohio railroad said in part:
 T don't believe it will be necessary to raise rates beyond what the traf- fic will bear to make private owner ship a success. It was not necessary h@f0rG the war. anu |. uO UOt hAiAAAn it will be necessary after war, once we get adjusted so that our income and our expense bear some proper relationship to each other, which the, do not at this time
 .-The transportation act of 192 does. in fact, make the future sue cessful operation of railroads possible as privately owned and operated properties. That I thoroughly be E. o,-x- pf they are to succeed that the railroad should cooperate effectively in or der to carry out the spirit of the ac1 The railroads are attempting to d that through several agencies, an particularly through a new agenc, the advisory committee of the Asso citation of Railway Executives
 Tt is expected that substantial re duction will be secured in the prie of fuel for 1921, in fact a number { contracts have already been mac effective as of April 1, much unds last years prices. Other materi prices are showing a gradual decilr and as materials and supplies no in stock are consumed and gradual replaced with materials purchased ; lower figures there will be reduce charges to expenses on this accoun all of which will be reflected in low operating costs. Meantime the raj road representatives in conferen' with the interstate commerce con mission are making such rate adjus ments from time to time as are foui necessary in order to remove II equalities and reestablish proper r lationships."
 Time and patient effort will GU the ills of the railroads, Preside smith said in his statement:
 The railroad management har
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