The Birmingham age-herald., 1921-04-01
RESIDENT BEGINS
 HIS DIAGNOSIS OF RAILWAY PROBLEM
Der Conferences With. Road Managers and Employes
 Will Follow Lengthy Dis- " cussion Yesterday
By Associated Presa

sashington. March S1.-President
 sding began his diagnosis of the rali- ] situation today by consultation Hs the two government agencies that #o kept closest watch over the pulse
 she nations Transportation system
 sng the after-ward period of read ment.
 iInr more than two hours the Presi- i!s was closeted with E. E. Clark, ' irman of the interstate commerce ' Emission, and R. M. Barton, chair
 ia of the railroad labor board, in HFerence designed to provide precise #s or every angle of the railroad AIslem. The executive asked not only V information, but for frank opinions lsow serious the condition of the car #s really is and what remedies can \ Happlied with greatest promise of re- H,s.
 a5her conferences, at which railroad Hsagers and employees can present dl-
 By their recommendations, are ex-
 ised to follow, but it was said at the
 .ste House tonight that definite dates iHathese consultations had not yet been
 #d. Decision was deferred on the ap- .Hs of the railroads employees depart iist of the American Federation or iisnr, announeed at Chicago for joint IH!.ing of railroad executives and. rail- iHs workers, White House officials de- .#sng to comment until the federation z gram was officially before the Pres l#st
 #s DETAILS NOT REVEALED t5atai1s cf the conference between MT. i#sling and the two chairInen were N revealed, but it was indicated that H5ss was nc disposition to attempt a #lssion on any specific subject. It was lS: the President was holding his mind ##s until he had gathered all avail ##4 information, and had canvassed the
 iIs opinion of those familiar with con i.lens.
 ii3se iuforma tion laid before the chief 5.. @ut;ve is understood to have inciud- Hi.1etailed figures in the recent earn HIHs of the carriers whose executives hlHs rainted a black picture of the l.#spect unless government relief Is b3sn. At the same time the confer we lad before it the petition of ship ##s fcr lower freight rates to perr9l' #EF9 tu compete with foreign goods sn HIHsrican markets, and the pleas of the
 #H-oad employees against any reduc- aaf in wages #Sse feature said to have been given " &asicuiar attention was the reia-
 iHss of freight schedules to volume oi $Hfic. Some railroad executives have
 BHsessed the opinion that present rates I38s sc high as to curtail traffic and !H5sy reduce earnings: while others #ss taken an opposite view In that #..#section the President was tod that
 ;I3l recent reductions in rates III feeder Bt.lc in the south and alfalfa in the #lashwest and middle west had beer
 4Hswed by a large increase in the #iaInt of those commodities shipped. jHs#s the background of these consider i.8as was the question of possible gov AHlaent ownership, also there was ne is.i .,ation that it was seriously dls- #sised. The administration has heard \ 3a!sestif,rls, however, that unless some
 ;ia.sdy lis found soon the government li8SI have to shoulder the burden of raii'
 3a management indirectly by taxing iia NY i#i:aagsuroperties into receiverships