The daily sentinel., 1913-11-24
HEAD OF GREAT ROAD
Makes STATEMENT As TO
GOVERNMENT OWNERSHIP

s. Sentinel Special Service. 8
. The following statement was s
:, given to the New York World g
8 few days ago by Samuel Rea. G.
= head of the great Pennsylvania q
g railway system: g
6 . s53Ss g g g g g 3
There is bound to be a divergence
of opinion regarding Government
ownership of railroads. We are in a
period of dissatisfaction and criti-
cism of the entire political and SOC
ial structure, and sound conclusions
cannot be reached without clear
thought and careful consideration.
There are two sides to this question.
Government ownership is bound to
come quickly If By continued State
and Federal legislation and commiss-
ion orders railroad control is assum-
ed without the responsibilities of
management. The results are evil
denced by restriction of railroad ear
nings, by increase of railroad expen-
ses over which the railroads have no
control, by laws ordering extra and
unnecessary train crews, elimination
| Of grade crossings without the States
or municipalities cooperating with
and participating in the cost, the
public improvements demanded by
way of steel cars, station improve
ments and better facilities, the heavy
increase in taxes, higher wages and
greater cost of everything pertaining
to railroad operation.
Therefore, while the railroads
have literally furnished large
amounts OF capital for improvements,
it is fact that these large expendi-
lures in the past few years have
.
| less conditions change and the rail-
roads are impartially and fairly dealt
with private capital cannot much
| longer be induced to provide the
tracks, terminals and equipment de-
manded by the business of the coun-
try Railroads must consequently re-
strict their program of improve
ments and operations to accord with
| that condition. Then, whether the
results are justifiable or not, uni
versal demand may come for the ma
tionalization of railroads by compel
ling the government to do what pri-
vate capital can no longer be induced
to do.
There is stronger other side to
| this question; the constructive side
of the sober Judgment of the country
will re-assert itself. Within COM
paratively few years there would. in
my Judgment, be 4 demand to return
| to private ownership and manage
ment of the railroads OF this country
because | believe the venture would
be unsuccessful and wasteful, and be-
cause government activities and Gre
dit would, in view of the worldwide
| demand for capital, be found insult
| ficient to meet the pressing demands
| from every part of this large and
growing country to improve living
and agricultural conditions, foster
| commerce and other measures to in
sure national progress.
All intelligent citizens realize that
government ownership could not
more effectively control the railroads
than present strict state and federal
regulation. accepted and supported in
good faith by the railroads. The ma
ton at largo will demand similar
control by federal state and mu-
nicipal governments against the ex-
travagant expenditures for non-pro-
ductive projects which are afterward
expensive to maintain. Public opin-
ion will finally assert itself by re-
pealing unnecessary, punitive and
unwise legislation against the best
interests Of the railroads, their en-
ployes and the public. Time will
bring true appreciation of the great
work, and of the present honest and
efficient management of the railroads
and their great share in making and
continuing the prosperity of the
/. country. / confidently hope that the
earliest evidence of public confidence
will be unanimous approval of the
small rate increase now requested by
the railroads.
SAMUEL REA,
President Pennsylvania Railroad