Arizona republican., 1922-05-21
HARDING AND
RAIL HEADS
DISCUSS RATE
REDUCTIONS
Agreement Reached At
White House Dinner For
Creation Of Commission
To Take Up Reductions
rReeubIican A. p. Leased wirel


WASHINGTON. Nay 2o.-Request
was made by President Harding at a
conference with 19 of the leading
railroad executives of the country at
a White House dinner conference to-
night for the cooperation Of the
larger roads of the country with the
interstate commerce commission in
voluntary reductions of railroad
rates An agreement MAS reached
for the creation of special commits
sion to take up the matter further.
The only statement issued was that
from the White House, the railroad
executives departing immediately. and
declining to discuss the conference,
which lasted until late hour
THE President invited the railroad
presidents and the board chairmen to
dine with him." the White House
statement said, ''and to confer with
him concerning further relief for rail
road service along lines somewhat
similar to the voluntary reductions
granted in some commodities some
months ago, more particularly on
such basic commodities as may be
found necessary to speed industrial
betterment The whole railroad
problem was discussed and difficult
ties of railroad management under
existing conditions We're presented.
The presidents voiced their unani-
mouse desire TO make the fullest
contributions possible to restore and
maintain prosperity.
Various aspects of the railroad
problem were discussed. particularly
these necessary preparations in pro-
viding new or repaired equipment
when normal business is restored
The President made it clear he was
attempting none of the duties of
rate-making or rate-recommenda-
tions, but he felt that much could be
accomplished by conference and that
helpful results must accompany a
full cooperation between the rail-
road heads and the government body
charged with the regulation Of rates,
The executives voted TO have COM
mittee named from their membership
to take the problem and recommend
what action could be taken
Preliminary semi official discus
sions had given the intimation that
r&te questions. particularly the posi-
bmty of bringing about reductions,
We're listed as the chief topics of the
conference, in which Secretary Hoo
yer also was invited to take part.
The list of railroad executives in
xited, as announced at the White
House, included the following presi-
dents of roads:
A. H. Smith, New York Central;
Carl r. Gray, Union Pacific. ". H.
Finley, Chicago and Northwestern;
Fv. B. Storey, Santa Fe: o. H. Mark
nam. Illinois Central: II. e. Byram,
Chicago, Milwaukee and st. Paul;
Samuel Rea, Pennsylvania: Hale
Holden. Burlington: Charles Donnel-
ly, Northern Pacific: Ralph Budd,
Great Northern; r. D. Underwood.
lJlrie: S. NJ. FELTON,, Chicago and
S3FsAt western; Daniel Willard, Bal
fNhore and Ohio: Fairfax Harrison,
Southern, and Edward Loomis, Le-
high Valley. Also invited were r. S.
Lovett,~ Howard Elliott and Julius
Kruttschnitt, respectively, chairmen
of the boards of the Union Pacific,
Northern Pacific and Southern Pacif-
ic and Edward Chambers, now vice
president of the Santa Fe. and during
the war director OF traffic for the
railroad administration.
The railroads have persistently ar
gued that operating costs, which they
contended were partially controlled
by another government body, the
railroad labor board. which fixes
wages, must be brought down further
before railroad rates can be material
ly lowered. The president has been
represented as feeling that executive
inquiries and possible voluntary eon-
certed efforts by railroads might be
effective in the situation.