Mr. Cummins Calls

Senator Cummins of Iowa, Chair-man of the Senate Committee on Interstate Commerce, called at the White House to discuss the railroad situation. After the meeting, he gave fairly clear indication of how the Administration will try to handle the politico-railway problem.

On one hand are the railways themselves, who want to continue operation under the Esch-Cummins Law of 1920. On another hand are farmers and shippers in general, clamoring for lower freight rates. From still another quarter the railroad workers are prepared to demand any arrangement to the advantage of the workers--government ownership, if practical. Then there is the public-- mutely desirous of the best possible service; the La Follette-Brookhart radical group in Congress--prepared to push attempts for drastic changes.

Said Senator Cummins:

"I think consolidation of the railroads as initiated by the Transportation Act offers the only means of gaining for the country the efficiency the people require. To me it seems to be the only method through which we may bring down freight rates."

This suggests strongly that the Administration is prepared to press as its program the plans being drawn by the Interstate Commerce Commission. The 1920 Transportation Act directed the Commission to prepare tentative plans for consolidating the railroads. This was done, and in August, 1921, a plan for uniting the roads into 19 systems was announced. Then the Commission set about comparing notes with the railroads and getting their suggestions on consolidation. Hearings were held for the railways west of the Mississippi and for the railways south of the Ohio. On May 16 hearings will be opened at Washington for the railroads of the north and east. By Fall the final plan of the Commission should be ready.