The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1923-05-27
.[AF GILLETTE WILL
WAGE FIGHT UPON
REPUBLICAN, PLANK
President To Give Views
While On Western Tour
Change In Law Seen
GOVERNMENT OWNERSHIP
LIKELY TO LOSE VOTE
Railroads Will Be Taken To
! Task For Effort To De-
stroy Waterways
WASHINGTON BUREAU |
THE AGE-HERALD !
WaahinRtOn. ID. c.. May rs


Congressional leaders presently In
Washington and politicians repre-
senting both major political parties
have become aware that the railroad
problem will be the main issue before
Congress, beginning in December,
and the country just as soon as the
presidential campaign gets under
way.
The so-called .progressive" bloc,
headed by Senator LaFollette Of Wis
consin, and Representative George
Huddleston of Alabama. has struck
the first blow. In the Chicago con-
vention this week, the question of
valuation of railroads as effected by
the interstate commerce commission
was discussed. That the interstate
commerce commissions valuation was
too high in view of "watered" stock
to serve as a basis for rate making
was generally agreed by the mem
bers of the bloc.
On his western trip, the President
will give attention to the railroad
problem. 1t is indicated that the
President will take the position that
rates are too high, but that the rail-
roads. being necessary to the pros
perity as we'll as commercial life of
the country, must be permitted TO
earn a fair return on their invest
ments.
Sharp Fight Expected
1t is anticipated that a sharp diff
ference will be developed between
administration leaders and the La
Toilette organization at the begin
ming of the new session. 1t is learned
that the administration will stand
for certain modification of the Esch-
Cummings act of 1920, but not its
repeal. The repeal of that act. espe-
cially the section which guarantees
the railroads per cent return on
their valuation, will be sought by
LaFollette.
1t is suspected in Washington that
gradually toward government owner
ship. 1t is known that many OF Its
members, as we'll as practically all
the members Of the peoples legis-
lative service" which LaFollette con-
trolls, look with favor on government
ownership which is favored as rule
by organized labor. The repeal OF the
guarantee section, the repeal of that
section which created a labor board.
and a restoration to state pubic
service commissions Of all their pre-
negatives will be first steps sought
to be taken by LaFollette, 1t Is In
dicated.
VIII Protect People
Every member of Congress inter.
viewed declared that the object Of
every member was to reach basis
on which the railroads would pros
per and the people, at the same time.
lie protected.
There is general admission that the
pro blem is herculean, and that every
individual has his individual idea as
to the proper solution. The i'm
pending campaign, and the ease with
which farmers and shippers may be
aroused over the question of rates.
leads many to believe that no salts
factory solution will be reached by
Congress, and that the issue Will be
thrust into the national campaign.
The belief in Washington Is that
the LaFollette group will express
dissatisfaction over what will prob
ably comprise the railroad plank In
the platforms of both the democratic
and republican parties. 1t Is said to
be safe surmise that neither OF the
major organizations will preach rail-
road destruction. and that the re-
publican will not go as far as the
democrat. This situation would give
LaFollette a plain issue fer COM
plete split with the administration
and a reason for testing his strength
in the primaries of the northwest and
possibly later in the campaign, itself.
with Mr.. Harding.
O O O
Barge Question Up
During the struggle in Congress, 1t
is certain that the railroads will be
taken to task for what appears to
be their effort to destroy inland
waterway competition especially on
the Mississippi and Warrior rivers.
lAvhereon the government is operating
barge lines. The complaint is gen.
erai that railroads have refused
euuitably to divide proceeds from
Joint rail and water houls. and that
such refusal has all but put the river
projects, especially that on the War
rior, out of business. The interstate
commerce. commission. while admit
ting in part the contention of the
shippers declined to enter into an
investigation of the actual merits
until it be demonstrated that the rail-
roads and bare line officials cannot
get together of their own accord.
Senator Underwood of Alabama.
during the last session of Congress.
declared that legislation which per-
mits the Interstate commerce COM
mission to approve rate reduction,
even when it is made for the purpose
of destroying competition, must be
amended. 1t is regarded as safe
conclusion that this side issue will
make the railroad problem even mtre
;.tarxctipO the next session.