The Washington herald., 1914-11-04
The Place for Mr.. Adams Letter.

Charles Francis Adams, sage, suggests to Presi-
dent Wilson the alternative of sending his letter. on
the acute railway problem, to the dusty and forgot
ten files This against drawing it to the concentrated
attention of the Interstate Commerce Commission.
Surely the President can have no choice. The age
is one of badly written, lily spelled letters Here is
la good one Moreover it addresses itself with Ygor,
plus experience and authority to subject of prime
Importance Charles Francis Adams was managing
real railroads when many of u.s. whose parents could
afford them, were playing with toy railroads. He re-
ago, but he did not close his eyes or his mind to
railway development and problems. He tells the
President that he felt something in the nature of
Cali to write because as he says: Il now feel
impressed with the extremely critical condition of
affairs and the significance, far public interests
are concerned of what is now going on in my uime-
date field of observation" The result is letter in
which the plight Of the railroads rs set forth with
commanding force; plight in which they denied
the control of their own affairs and by that denial
deprived of the capital necessary their salvation
The general position of the railroads is thus set
forth by Mr. Adams: The existing position is also
from common sense business point of view impos-
sible of long continuance l have not time to argue
the matter or to enter into details. | will merely
state the fact Here is the largest investment and
active business management of the country and those
managing it control neither outgo nor income. They
are told. what they must do and pay and have no
voice in what they are to charge Such situation is
economically unheard Of, absurd. 1t needs only to
be stated 1t is financially impossible of long con-
tinuance"
Mr.. Adams is convinced that the present situation
of the railways is fully appreciated and declares
that the elements of danger involved in it are far
than fror7,u1oniy Sunoosed Nor
does he see an intelligent and comprehensive effort
deal with it He is convinced that as far as East
ern Massachusetts is concerned-he is satisfied the
conditions prevailing there general-the transpor-
tation machinery is falling behindhand rapidly and
getting into an inextricable snari Within fifty miles
of Boston there is immediate call for capitalized
railroad expenditure of at least $Ioooooooo 1t is not
a question of dividends interests existing in
restoration of credit but of construc
ton and equipment necessary to modern competitive
conditions and he believes that if the money is not
Eastern New England cannot maintain
itself industrially Meantime, as he points out. the
corporations owning and operating railroads in East
en Massachusetts cannot remunerate the capital al
ready invested much less secure fresh money. They
are" he says financially crippled" This state of
affairs, he insists indisputably calls for prompt rem
edial action
Mr.. ADAMS does not HOOK Tor adequate remedial |
action through State legislation CONTROL partial or
complete "The remedy" he says 's obvious even if
accepted reluctantly and with apprehension. It must
be sought in system OF national Incorporation and
in so far as it is required in national supervision
Every day thoughfu consideration of this grave fact
IS deferred is just so much time lost and time lost
IN condition of affairs rapidly growing worse The
difficulty and consequent cost Of ultimate rehablita
ion is enhanced"
The immediate necessity" he declares, Is a /
of financial standing The railroads are
,aled upon to do business at less than remunerative
rates and he insists that If the community is not to
ind itself put out of business and in physical jeop
lrdy it must pay for the service which it requires
Here IS the concluding paragraph from Mr. Adams
notable letter: The conclusion to which have now