Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-01-09

Endorsement by rail executives Of a
proposed grouping of Eastern railroads
into four main systems is received with
much approval by the public. Console
dation efforts have been so slow in
achieving results that the present de-
velopment is classed as genuine prog
resS toward solution of the rail problem.
President Hoovers efforts in the mat
ter, while opposed by Senator Couzens,
are upheld in various comments A
factor in the situation is the predicted
effect on business conditions, while the
increased competition from other forms
Of transportation is believed to have
contributed to the agreement
Aside from the employment that
may be furnished by new construction
to make the proposed consultations
most effective" says the New York Sun,
1.-The country will benefit from the mer-
gers by their businesslike adnlinistra-
ton" The Cleveland Plain Dealer feels
that at is we'll within the facts to say
that the proposed merger in the trunk
line territory is born of depression;
that "it is probably not too much to
say that it is born of the necessity of
preservation" The Champaign
News-G Gazette holds that eff this sys-
tenn can weather a stormy Congress, it
will kindle confidence in the future of
American railroads, and should be a
generally effective tonic for 1875 bust
ness"
1.-The prospect of such an improve
ment must react favorably upon the
countryS general business" agrees the
Jersey City Journal, while the st. Louis
Times voices the opinion that IF the
new plan is adopted, the railroads will
give a better service" and the Cincin-
natl Times-Star declares: ITO the
lines involved it will mean financial sta
bility. 1t should open tho way for i'm
provements which will better the unem-
ployment situation, While the elimina-
ton of unreasonable competition should
be of benefit to shippers and carriers
alike"
Charging that Senator Couzens' "crit-
icism of President Hoover'S implied sup
port of the plan agreed upon is unwar-
ranted and unfair, " the Charleston (S.C CO
Evening Post states: 1.-The PresidentpointS
out that the Interstate Commerce Com
mission has no authority in itself to re-
quire consolidation and that this can
be brought about only by voluntary
agreement of the railroad companies.
That such an agreement has been
reached is and should be a source of
to the President as it
should be to Senator CouzenS. 1t does
not follow that the plan is so designed
that it will meet the requirements OF
the public interest, but it can hardly be
doubted that it is a long step toward
some sort of sterilization of the railroad
situation, the need Of which can GER
tainly not be denied even by Senator
Couzens."
"a dream which has been INDUCED
in by some of the country's most saga
cious transportation experts for many
years is at last in the way of being
News, and the Chicago Daily News !
out that the details remain
TO be justified, if that be possible" adj |
Vises: 1.-THE question, after all, is one |
Of fact. Not the Interstate Commerce |
Commission alone, but congressional |
will demand evidence of |
public benefit-and of benefit to the /
railroads; whose executives are clamor-
ng for relief-before proposed mergers |
are sanctioned. Doubtless the eXscu- |
lives concerned are preparing definite |
statements setting forth the economies
and service Improvements enVisaged by |
hem as the result of the proposed con-
THE fact that executives Of the four
systems have tentatively agreed to a
CONFERENCE.-The plan of consolidation,
n the judgment OF the Roanoke world
News, enormously advances a project |
which has been before the country in |
one form or another ever since the
railroads were returned to their owners
after the period of Government war
time operation"
Speaking for Pennsylvanians who are
the Pittsburgh. Post Gazette
advises that lit is plain that although |
progress has been made toward con-
there still are important
features to discuss" The Rock Island
Argus offers the warning: "In his an
nouncement of the agreement. Mr..