New-York tribune., 1922-12-31
Sweeping Rail
Bills to Await
Next Congress
Present Session Is Not EN-
pecled to Touch Important
Legislation Which Will
Affect Lines of Nation
Freight Car Pool Urged
Plan for Government Con-
troll of Carriers viii
Meet With Big Opposition
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Meet With Big Opposition
Fro-. The Trfsv-Ss wasAt-0fc- sv-sss
WASHINGTON.
Practically eli hopes OF railroad
legislation Of importance a. the recent
winter session Of Congress have been
abandoned by Senators and House
members who have been keeping in
close touch with conditions.
In spite Of the fact there IL formi-
dable list Of railroad legislative steps
proposed, there is every indication that
nothing can be accomplished until the
new Congress comes into power
March 4.
Then. II there IL an extra session
called By President Harding. As many
believe probable. there is little cues
tion both houses will plunge deep into
the consideration Of railroad problems.
Once these problems are seriously
taken up there is almost sure 70 be
evolved legislation OF the most far
reaching moment both 70 the roads and
10 the general public. 70 the employees
Of the roads and to shippers.
Senator Cummins. chairman Of the
Senate Interstate Commerce Commit
tee, will introduce in the Senate soon
after the holidays q series Of meas
ures In the nature Of proposed amend
msnts 10 the transportation act. They
will cover a wide field and open up FOR
thought ard discussion a number Of
phases Of the present and future Of
the transportation lines in the United
States.
Pooling Of Freight Cars
One OF the most important Of them
will provide for what IL commonly
known ss the pooling Of freight cars.
It will provide for the formation Of a
single government-controlled corpora
tion which will take over the freight
cars Of the various roads. Il is pos
sible that some other equipment Of the
roads might be included, but the chief
business Of the proposed corporation
will be 20 take over the freight cars o.
the roads. II would then proceed 70
allot them 20 the various roads and
srportion them with view always 20
the transaction OF the nationwide busi-
ness Of transportation in the most sf-
fectivo way. The great objective. Of
course. would be TO prevent car short
ages and increase the effectiveness Of
freight service. while tending 70 lessen
costs Of maintenance ana operation.
This plan OF pooling Of freight cars
has the powerful support OF the Ma
tiona, Association OF Owners Of Rail-
road Securities and OF many leading
business men. On the other hand II
has the opposition OF many powerful
railroad factors. This opposition Is
based on the belief that the pooling
Of freight cars as proposed would be
direct step toward government own
ership Of railroads, and not only q d.
rect step. but long step.
President Harding has become con-
verted 20 the idea OF consolidating the
handling Of freight ears under single
corporation. All the signs and symp-
toms are that the Cummins amend
ment for the pooling OF freight earI
will arouse a great contention in Con.
gresS II will he imposSible. however.
TO deal with IL In the present short
winter session. Senator Cummins
says he does not see any possibility
OF action on this or on his other
important amendments this winter.
The Amendments of Senator Cum
Minis will cover most of the recon-
mendatlons made by President Hard.
ing in his annual message One will
provide for the compulsory oonsoli-
dstion Of the railroad. into limited
number Of systems. This il another
question frsught with much contro-
versy. Another will be FOR The Giving
wage" for railroad employees Another
will te an anti-s'rike amendment.
" ich also provides for penslizing the
railroads when they do not obey the
orders of the Railroad Labor Board. II
goes without saying that the attempt
10 put teeth into the Law relative 70
the Railroad Labor Board will stir up .
furor Of opposition.
Labor Board Reorganization
President Harding wants the Rail
road Labor Board rsorgani1ed and con-
solidstsd with the Interstate Com
morce Commission. Senator Cummln,
does not expect 20 introduce an amend
ment covering this matter. a. he is
not for H., but some other Senator will.
In these proposed amendments alone
there is enough material for debate.
discussion and contention 70 occupy
months Of Congress. But this is only
a part Of what Is ahead, once the rail
road problems are fairly thrown open
20 the consideration Of Senate and
House.
The farm bloc and progressive ele-
ments are az strong az ever FOR the
abolition or complete revamping OF the
rate-making provisions Of the trans
portation act, especially Section i5A.
containing the provisions that amount.
as alleged, TO guaranty Of a reason
able net return 10 the roads b. groups
| OF as q whole. Eforts tn chnrra .hn