Evening star., 1925-08-04
Sees Aid to All Industry in
Proper and Orderly
Consolidation.
PRESIDENT HAS HOPES
OF COAL PARLEY PEACE
Executive Picks International Re
lations Advances as His
Greatest Work.
BY !. RUSSELL YOUNG.
stan Core spOrdapt of The Star

SWAMPSCOTT, Mass, August A.
Consolidation of railroads, with the ap-
proval of the Interstate Commerce
Commission, is looked upon by Presi-
dent Coolidge as the real cure of the
railroad rate evil.
In making this known at White
Court today, spokesman for the
President made ii very clear that the
Executive intends to make a bid for
proper and orderly combinations of
transportation lines with the hope that
ii will bring about substa antial reduc-
tions in rates not only on agricultural
products but other as we'll.
The President does not believe that
any additional legislation is necessary
to bring about the desired consolida.
tions. and the inference is drawn that
the Executive Is very hopeful that the
Interstate Commerce Commission will
find its way clear to grant the request
for consolidat ton.
Await Van Sweringen Merger.
In this connection it was pointed out
that Mr.. Coolidge is aware that nu-
merous railroads are awaiting the out
come of the Van Sweringen Nickel
Plate petition for a merger. when it
is thought that they themselves will
make appeal for consolidation il the
commissions decision is favorable.
Those close to the President were
deeply impressed today by his frank
declaration regarding railroad CON
solida tions. and it is taken by them
as an unofficial bid on the part of
the Executive fer the railroads of the
country to promptly consider combina-
tions. The President is known to be
convinced that with the proper con-
solidations effected il will be made
easy TO institute substantial rate re-
ductions. This is necessary if the
agriculturists of the country are to
obtain the relief they have been ask.
ing for for some time. 1t is the
thought that the President looks more
to this method of relief than to any
thing that could be accomplished by
additional legislation.
1t is a recognized fact that while
many railroads which are almost ex-
clusively carriers of agricultural prod
ucts do not dispute the fact that the
farmer should have reduction. they
cannot grant it because of the finan-
cial loss. But If a railroad of this
type were merged with railroad that
was not dependent upon agricultural
shipments, this combination would
then make il possible to effect reduc-
tions.
Although President Coolidge makes
Ii very clear that he Is a strong
advocate of consultations. 1t is
doubtful II he be considered favor
able TO compulsory consolida tions
such S have been urged by a number
of leaders Of his party. including Sen
ator Cummins of Iowa. who is the
author of the present transportation
act which permits voluntary consoli-
dations.
Cuts Farm Legislation.
Inasmuch as this Is the first time
that President Coolidge has been rep
resented as being so outspoken for
merging railroads as means Of
bringing the desired relief to the
farmers, IL is taken for granted by
some that II he can bring about the
necessary consultations IL is not
thought likely that he will seek any
great amount of farm legislation at
the next Congress.
President Coolidge is still hopeful
that the threatened coal strike will
be averted.
1t was learned officially at White
Court today that the President is ex-
pecting that the miners and operators
will reach an agreement that will
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