Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1913-11-29
GOVERNMENT PROFESSIONALLY
SUGGESTION ASSUMES LARGE
PROPORTIONS.
IOWA SENATORS coLLAsoRArE
IN PREPARING PROPOSED LAW
Promises Solution Of Many vsxatious
Questions Constantly Arisins-RaiI.
road Presidents Admit Federal Own
srship rs Certain q. Fate - BRYAN
Once Advocated Plan.
lJohn Callan o'Laughlin in CHICAGO
Trjhnne1


ownership of railroads Of the United
states is about to assume the pro-
portions of a live national issue.
Senator Kenyon OF Iowa has been
making careful study Of the propo-
sition, and during the discussion in
the senate ten days hence Of the bill
Tor government construction Of Alas
Kan railroads he is expected to submit
facts and figures to show the advis.
ability OF the acquisition of all con-
tinental lines by the United States.
This presentation probably win be
preliminary to the introduction OF a
olii authorizing an issue OF per cent
bonds the proceeds Of which are to
be used to pay for the properties.
1t is a tremendous thing the Iowa
senator is contemplating. It means
the acquisition and operation by the
government Of 225,00O miles Of road.
1t means an increase OF the public debt
by $4,000, 100000, that being the
amount of the funded debt and capital
stock of the roads outstanding The
public debt at this time Is Sl.o4s. 900. :
600.
Iowa Senators CoIlaboraes.
In his investigation Of the subject
Senator Kenyon has had the cooper
alton of his colleague. Senator Cum
Minis Neither Of the Iowans Will dis
cuss the results Of their study or the
plan they are developing.
Enough has been learned, however.
to show that In Mr.. Kenyon's 1udg-
ment. at least, this promises to be the
solution Of the many vexing questions
which the present railroad policy has
created.
Nor Is Mr.. Kenyon alone In this
view. Railroad presidents have stated
frankly that government ownership Is
the inevitable end OF the popular agi-
tation which for so many years has
existed in consequence OF private ex-
ploitatton.
The railroads now are reaping the
Whiflwind as punishment for the high
handed methods they applied for 90
many years. They are being crus.ed
between the federal government on
the one hand and the states on the
other. They are compelled to charge
traffic rates which they insist are in
adequate to enable them to meet ex-
penses OF operation. development, and
extension and to pay reasonable inter-
est on the capital invested.
Change Certain a. Fate.
President, Ripley Of the Santa Fe
said yesterday:
|, Government ownership Of all rail-
roads is coming. as certain as fate.
The legislatures hamper and cut our
profits and labor unions take what Is
left. We are practically between the
devil and the deep sea"
President Willard OF the Baltimore
and Ohio. who spoke for the railroads
before the interstate commerce COM
mission In advocacy Of the s per cent
increase. used this language:
eft Is q mistake to think that TIE
problem "a merely q question OF divi-
dends to railroad stockholders. altho
that feature II. Of course. involved.
The problem In a broad and true sense
affects all interests. aud the outcome
OF this particular case, whichever way
1t Is decided. will mark an epoch. be-
mine whether we shall as in tho past
continue TO look to private capital and
private enterprise for our transpor-
tation requirements or DO compelled
finally to accept tho only alternative
possible"
Regulation q Palliative.
There are members Of the interstate
commerce commission who against
their will are aware that the march
of events Is driving the government
to railroad acquisition and operation.
They are recognizing that regulation
has proved to be merely a palliative
for the evils from which the people
have suffered and not q remedy. and
vet they are apprehensive Of the con-
sequences of government ownership.
Senator Kenyon not only has reau
every available bit Of Literature he
can get in relation to the railroads
but has discussed the subject with
prominent railroad and economic ex-
perts, among them Louis %. Brandeis.
The latter, 1t will be recalled. declared
that by the introduction of proper
methods the railroads could save
81 900. 900 a day in operating expenses.
First Step in Alaska.
Undoubtedly the first step toward
government ownership will be In the
authorization of the construction Of the
Alaskan railroads. The bill for this
purpose will pass the senate next
month and the house probably during
the winter.
II that experiment shall prove a
success nothing will be able to stop the
acquisition and operation Of all lines
by the federal government.
It is contended by advocates OF the
plan that It will be to the advantage OF
| the people az well as the railroads to
have government ownership and op.
GRAFTON. They point to the parcel poss
! as an example Of what results may be
obtained. Parcel post has proved .
boon to the people. The system has
brought reduced charges on the trans
portation on packages, and the govern
ment has surplus In the treasury.
MeReynolds For 0slay.
| Attorney General McReynoldS ID re-
luctantly coming to the conclusion that
the only way TO solve tho telegraph
and teleph one situata is for the gov
eminent to take over the lines. He
does not wish this to be done, because
he regards it az a step toward gov
eminent ownership Of railroads.
| President Wilson has not disclosed
his position with reference to telegraph
<nlnuS,n~> hut hA ha 4