The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1910-06-16
FEARS U. S. OWNERSHIP
Mr.. willard Tells b. Q 0. lien Gov.
eminent Will Get Railroad.

| HlOIS ldllu NillO IsdlilOdu SoHlpdiiy, III
an address before the officials of the
traffic and operating departments of
the railroad at Deer Park. Monday.
| President Willard declared emphati-
callv that he did not believe Govern
ment ownership would be good thing,
but rather a step backward, but he said
that this would be the probable outcome
of the present Government regulation.
In opposing Government ownership
Mr.. Willard took up particularly the
question of rates and pointed to the fact
that the tariffs in this country were
cheaper than in any other, though many
European governments own their rail-
roads.
Mr.. Willard spoke informally and his
audience was most attentive, especially
as this is a subject which has not been
spoken on to any extent by highrailroad
officials. He began by telling the men
that he would expect rigid compliance
with all laws and regulations. From
obedience to the rapidly increasing num-
Der of laws and rulings of the Inter
! State Commerce Commission and the
/ increase IN the powers Of the commits
/ sion made by the recent Railroad bill
passed by Congress Mr.. Willard traced
/ this control further until it merged into
Government ownership.
That this would not be a good thing
for the country he attempted TO prove
by showing that rates were practically
lower than they ever had been, while on
the other hand, urged on by private in
terests and capital, improvements were
being made which gave better service,
insurlng quicker and safer delivery
of freight and passengers, while in
creasing the efficiency of the men and
the amount of work one man could do.
He also drew attention to the increases
in salaries of all railroad employees made
by private owners. These. he said, had
so burdened the treasures ,of the rail
road companies that some means Of fill
ing them would have to be found.
! The only possible way at present,
President Willard declared, was to
raise rates, and this could only be done
successfully by unamity Of action on the
part of the different railroads.
On the Baltimore and Ohio alone. he
SAID, the increase in wages had amount
ed to about 81, 900, 900 annually. and this
was exclusive Of the increase Of the ex-
pense of operation and increased cost Of
every item needed in the extensive
equipment
Millions have thus been added Presi-
dent Willard declared, to the millions on
which the road is already paying for
fixed charges, to bring the earning
power Of the company to the standard
it Unjust achieve TO hold its own. To
take advantage of this tremendous ex-
penditure, it would be necessary, he
continued, for every possible effort TO
be taken by Improvement in operation,
and large efficiency Of motive power,
larger trains, with cutting down Of
fuel and other savings, 10 make the
railroad paying proposition.
President Willard minated that this
effort that would be necessary to insure
a return on the Increased investment
would be made far better in private
hands than in the hands of the Govern
ment, and also that the railroads should
be allowed to work out their own saliva
ton on the rate situation without any
more regulation from the Government
that necessary.
| Enthusiasm was aroused among Pres
ident Wizards audience Of railroad
men, however, when he assured them
/ that the company would earn millions
over its record in the coming fiscal year,
The officials remained at Deer Park
until last night
The general conference is participant
ed in by the traffic and operating de-
partments, with First Vice President
Randolph presiding Others Of the
/ traffic department in attendance We're
/ General Traffic Manager Wright. Cen
eral Freight Agents Galleher, Constans,
/ Mclaughlin and GRAY, General PaSsen-
ger Agents Bassett, Austin andMcCar-
/ ty, assistant general passenger agents
division freight and passenger agents
commercial freight agents, etc, from
Baltimore and Ohio territory every
where With NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. Patter
representing the operating department
areGeneral Superintendent of Transpor-
tation Walber, Vice-President and Cen
eral Manager of the Baltimore and Ohio
Chicago Terminal and General Superin-
tendent Baltimore and Ohio North
western Division Batchelder, General
Manager of the Baltimore and Ohio
Southwestern Bent, General Sup rim
tendents Loree, Blaser and Williams,
with division superintendent and others
representing divisional activities.
With President Willard are his as
sistants, Messrs. George NJ. Shriver
and H. B. Voorhees,, Chief Engineer
Thompson, staff and divisional engi-