New-York tribune., 1922-05-23
Rail Heads and
/. C.. Discuss
Rate Reduction
roumi,tee Named After the
White House Meeting
Takes Steps 10 Comply
With Hardins's Request
Early Results Expected
Relieved if Roads Refuse
Presidents Plea Con-
cress Would Enforce 1t

s..-, 7he Tr.6Yac s Washington Buyeau
uAsH1NGTON. May GA two-hour
..,ssrence to-day between seven rail-
I'D executives and members Of. the
,,.srsta,e Commerce Commission WAS
-.ssrded as preliminary TO the volun-
.,rv reduction OF rates, which was dis
..ssed at the Saturday night meeting
tween railroad heads and President
u..5;ng. The seven executives con-
.,;.ste the committee named by the
.,;vsy presidents after the Saturday
-isst dinner.
ro.her conference Will be held
r.s,sssy. and il is expected that after
tss, arfeyencc something in the ma
~, Of a definite announcement Of q
-r,g-sni will be forthcoming.
Statement From Rail Heads
Da.icl Willard, president of the
g..imore & Ohio. who was one OF
nose at to-day's conference, said the
~aetirg vas 10 discuss the rate stu
ZION. Nr Willard said:
The committee OF railroad .presi-
dents. cons sting Of Daniel Willard.
PRESIDENT of The Baltimore & Ohio:
Fairfax Harrison, president Of tho
Southern; Hale Holden. president Of
he Chicago. Milwaukee & st. Paul:
Charles Donreily. president Of the
Northern Pacific; William II. Finley.
president cf-@tbe Chicago 4 North
Western, and Edward Chambers. vice
resident OF the Sante Fe. met with
,ae Interstate Commerce Commission
in conference this morning by ap-
continent Tor the purpose Of discus
ing the rate situation. Discussion cor
(; 7ued for about two hours.
The conference then adjourned to
meet again at one o'clock Thursday
May %, FOR the purpose OF then Civ
ing the subject further nsiderati on
The appointment of the above named
committee followed the dinner given
at the White House last Saturday
syenug.'
Results OF the conference at the
White House followed by the confer
ence to-day, have led TO the belief il
Washington that important voluntary
in rates on certain heavy
basic commodities and farm product!
will be made.
In fact, IN the best-informed GUAR
since Tire announcement was made tha,
the President had called the railway
leads together.
Demand for New Rail Legislation
The situation IN railroad matters l.,
'Ach that the railway executives cannot
We do otherwise than TO reduce rates
fhis IS true regardless of the fact that
/ few Of the railroad heads are much
opposed to II. Al through the pres.
Mt session OF Congress there has been
strong demand for new railroad leg
station which would overhaul the eX-
ting transportation act and repeal the
ate-making provisions of the law
lnder which the roads get a virtual
guaranty Of reasonable net earnings
This demand has been held back from
ation by the House and Senate Inter
sate Commerce Committee leaders. but
tare has been strong protest from
1any members against non-sction.
Il the roads at this stage of the pro
c.edings should refuse the request fol
voluntary reduction in rates. the dc
msnd Tor leg Station to change the
transportation act would become in
'ensitied and perhaps irresistible
some. at least Of the railroad heads
perceive this and consequently il is
.aought here they will comply with the
President s wishes.
The Senate Interstate Commerce
Oommlttee tomorrow VIII begin con
slderation Of the Capper bill to change
me rate-makne provisions OF the
transportation act and restore the
powers Of the rate commissions. II
will not favor the bill, but g refusal
~ the roads to reduce rates would
materially affect the attitude both OF
ms committee and Of the House Com
mlttee on Interstate Commerce. and
s'ili more would affect the House aud
senate themselves.