New-York tribune., 1922-02-02
Rail Men Plan
Sterilization
OF L. s. Roads
Resolutions Submit Methods
to Return Lines to Nor
NAL and Still Obtain
an Adequate come
New Labor Level Urged
Large Purchases Called a
Help to Prosperity and
Relief for Unemployed


ways and means for cfecting their re-
turn TO normal basis as rapidly as
possible constituted the chief concern
of the Railway Business sociaton at
its annual meeting IN the Waldorf
Astoria Hotel Yesterday
The association. made up Of manu-
facturers Of railway materials and
equipment, contractors in railway CON
struetion and dealers in miscellaneous
railway supplies. adopted resolutions.
based on its annual report. in which it
set forth its position on leading trans
portation problems Of the country as
follows:
Urged preservation Of the Transpor-
tation act policy Of rate regulation de
signed to yield adequate railway in
come.
Advocated placing The costs of rail-
way labor 'on an equal level with those
Of other industries"
Opposed the creation Of the office
, of o commits ssioner general Of trans
, portation as tending to impair the
independence of those charged with
railway regulation or legislation.'
Rail Purchases Upheld
Declared for resumption Of large
railway purchases as the most cffec-
national prosperity and the minimiz-
ing of unemployment
Warned against a "lepislative up
hcavaN affecting the railways. declar-
ng that Amendments can be inteli-
gently considered only after a period
Of average tonnage and average gross
earnings Under moderate rates.
Favored the priority Of Federal con-
troll where state regulation conflicts
with it.
Asked that the government refrain
from interfering with the Interstate
Commerce Commission and present
proceedings in rate revision, and urged
that the public support the commission.
Proposed the "lnitiaton and main
tenance of such contract between the
United States Railroad Labor Board
and the Interstate Commerce Commits
sion as will assure a relation of labor
cost to net railway income fair alike
to the employees, the railways, the
shippers and the public
Requested that the United States
Railroad Labor Board give shippers
the fullest opportunity to be heard" in
proceedings brought before that body.
Financial Provision Plans
Argued that advance financial pro-
vision for the railways be made possi-
bic "by etfecting, in ways cons istent
with the public interest, an accumula-
ton and reservation OF funds and
credit in prosperous years to be drawn
on for vigorous maintenance and i'm
provements in dull years" Dsap-
proved Of the present income surtax
rates, holding that Congress should
reduce them at the earliest possible
moment.
The meeting was closed at night by
Fl dinner. also held in the Waldorf
Astoria, at which Eugene Never ir.,
managing director Of the War Finance
Corporation. made the principal adj
dress. He advocated giving assistance
to agriculture and "intelligent exercise
of the regulatory powers as two prin-
cipal means for stabi.izing the rail
roads and improving industrial condi-
tions generally.
cone thing that viii 20 long way
toward lifting US out Of the hole is
to help agriculture back to Il normal
basis" he said This would, in my
opinion, do more than any other one
thing TO restore the normal flow Of
business through the normal channels.
THE industry depends now, moro
than ever before, upon the intelligent
exercise OF the regulatory powers, es-
pecially OF the Federal government. Re
lying, as it does. on tine sustaining
nand Of the government. it must ofTer
in returu for that support conduct
If tie industry from TIC point Of view
Of the public interest The problem is
great. but in the light Of the difficulties
that have been s0rmounted during the
last two years and with the prospect
Of improving financial and business
conditions, there is every reason at
present to justify hope and confidence
in successful outcome"