The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1923-05-23
Administration Faces Many
Difficulties In Its Effort To
Combine Great Roads Into
Series Of Systems Officials
Of Carriers Ask Changes
MAY ASK CONGRESS TO
COMPEL CONSOLIDATION
While General Theory Is Ap-
proved Details Of Plan
Are Subjected To Much Crit.
IcIsm By Transportation
Leaders-BattIe To Come
Geased Wire to The Age-HeraId)

LEASED Wire to The Age Herald)
WASHINGTON, May 22,-The adj
in its cherished plan for consolda-
ton OF railroads. which both Presi-
dent Harding and Secretary Hoover
urge as necessary to economical and
efficient transportation and contin-
ued high prosperity.
Hearing nearly completed before
the interstate commerce commission
have brought to light a variety OF
conflicting opinions among railroad
chiefs, with outspoken hostility from
a few. When the commission COM
pletes its hearings this week, or
early next week, it will have tho
views of all the trunk railroads of
the country, on which it proposes to
base the permanent grouping.
No Voluntary Mergers.
On account of the divergent views
of railroad executives, there is little
indication they will consolidate vol
unfairly. The only other way IS
gress. This is the aim of President
Harding and Senator Cummins, of
Iowa, chairman of the interstate
commerce commission, but there IS
consderabl doubt such step would
ever be taken by Congress.
Railroads may consolidate volun-
tarily under the permanent plan To
be drawn UP by the commission but
they can group themselves only as
the interstate commerce commission
provides. The many objections al
ready raised to the commissions
temporary plan. it is said. would
hardly be eliminated under any
grouping.
Approve General Theory.
While few railroad chiefs voiced
outspoken opposition to any CONSOLE
dation whatever, many have approv-
ed the general theory but fouaG
fault with some details. principally
based on control on small blu impor-
tant branch lines.
Some of these points of contention
are;
Placing of the New Jersey Gem
trail and the Philadelphia and Read
ing under the Baltimore and Ohio.
The New York Central claims they
should be under its grouping.
Opposition of the Illinois Central
to consolidation with the Seaboard
Air Line.
objection of the Great Northern to
the Chicago, Milwaukee and ST. Paul
being grouped with it. The Burling-
ton, Great Northern and Northern
Pacific are willing tC be grouped to-
gether-which the commission OPP
poses-but neither the Great North
be Joined with the Milwaukee. thus
eliminating almost any prospect of
consolidation in the northwest.
Other local objections have been
presented to the mmission, which
light he reflected in opposition by
members of Congress. Some of tho
western terminal centers-St. Louis.
st. Paul and Minneapolis-are wary
of consolidation, fearing it will mako
them only way stations.
Fear Congress. Not TO Act
Considerable doubt has been tx-
pressed by officials of the commis-
various parts of the country. that
Congress would ever pass compulsory
consolidation. AS yet there has BEEN
no concrete opinion among progress
sives-usually initiators of legisla-
ton for railroad economy-as to con-
solidation. Doubt has been expressed
by some of them because it is feared
certain groupings might eliminate
competition. Pre- gressive leaders are
expected to take up the consolida ton
plan at their conference in Chicago
Friday and Saturday of this week,
called to consider the valuation OF
railroads, now nearly completed by
the interstate commerce commission.
Agricultural interests generally IA
vor the consolidation plan in prin-
ciple, hoping it will bring lower
freight rates. President Harding Is
expected to make his appeal partly
on this basis on his coming trip.
The interstate commerce commits
sion, after concluding its hearings
here. will conduct local hearings
throughout the east 1t has already
and west. 1t will then proceed to
draw up it's permanent conso lidation
plan, which was provided by the
transportation act.