The Washington times., 1924-01-14

1a@HSCVnClnenLaI trunk lines, zcrlSS
forossing the nation from Atlantic
to Pacific and from Canada to the
gull, was proposed by Senator
George w. Norris (Rep.) of Ne.
braska, Progressive leader, in q
Dali ne introduced in the Senate.
Provides Five Directors.
The corporation would be given a
maximum capitalization Of $4,000.
100000 and power to condemn. pur.
chase. or seize such privately
owned railroads as found necessary
to create the two Federal trunk
lines. II would also have power TO
acquire and operate power plants
and coal mines necessary to supply
fuel.
Norris declared. the purpose q
his. bill was to form "A govern.
mental agency Tor regulating inter.
state commerce" and 10 '.DreseTve
fair and reasonable passenger and
freight rates within the United
States.'
A five.man dictatorship, each re-.
cetving $12 900 annual salary, would
be formed !, to control the corpora.
ton. They would be appointed by
! the President on the same condl.
! tions affecting Cabinet officers and
ambassadors. by and with the con.
sent of the Senate"
These five men would have sole
handling Of the corporations
finances, operation, and manage.
| ment. although severe penalties
would be inflicted for miSdeeds.
Turns Over u. 8. Ships.
So that the corporation could con.
troll export shipments, the bill would
turn over to it all Government.
owned ships, whether in ocean serv.
ice or used on rivers or lakes.
This authorization. incidentally,
would wipe out the United States
Shipping Board and Emergency
Fleet Corporation.
Although a majority Of the Sen.
ate insurgents conferred with Norris
before he introduced the bill, ii was
known they held small hopes for its
enactment. The insurgents ex-
pected to use the measure to build
up sentiment for ultimate Govern !
ment ownership rather than to make |
united stand for its enactment in |
the present Congress.
THE object of my bill is to regu- |
late interstate commerce by the in !
strumentality of a Governmental |
corporation said Norris. which |
would have the power to build a rail- |
road anywhere in the United States
and to purchase any railroad by con-
demnation proceedings. 1t is likewise !
empowered to purchase railroads at /
private sale, provided the amount |
paid shall not exceed a valuation |
placed on 1t by the Interstate Com.
merce Commission.
Controls Water Power.
THE corporation is directed to
build or acquire sufficient railroad
mileage to regulate Il transportation
charges all over the country and to
do SO, is directed to secure any rail-
road line or lines that will connect
the Atlantic with the Pacific and
the Great Lakes with the Gulf. to.
gether with all necessary feeders,
telegraph Iines or other appurte-
nances to make the system complete,
1T would also be authorized to
construct dams on streams for the
purpose OF generating electricity for
use as power, and likewise to acquire
and operate coal mines for the same
purpose
The $4,000, 000, 900 maximum capi.
tanzation would be effected through
the Issuance Of Government bonds at
"A per cent interest and all pro.
ceeoS from the roads would be used
to retire this capital. There would
De no stock issues and once the
capital was repaid to the Govern
ment, rates would be slashed to the
mere cost of operation.
Ihere Will be no profits, no :
dividends, no stock" Norris added
cost" CIV
Penalties for Politics. :
To keep politics out of the roads il
Ncrris specifically
provided jail sentences and heavy !,
Ines for any persons caught play. "
ng politics" or giving political pre-. t
to employees !,
We have been trying to operate i
ne railroads for more than a life. v
Inc, Norris concluded. I'VE have =
Ipent hundreds of millions Of dol. 6
arS IN this direction and the PROB.
EN- 10 still absolutely unsolved. If
MS Dill Is enacted into low. II win
mean that this governmental !. CO.
peration will operate at least
nough Of our railroad mileage TO
regulate passenger and
relgnt rates and 1t will do IL with.
'ut any expense to the people" 4