The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-03-11
No Government Ownership

A lew years ago certain radical politicians began an agitation for gov ernment ownership of railroads and telegraph and telephone lines. But such policy is paternalistic and therefore un-American. The proposi- tion is fundamentally wrong and should never appeal to men of broad vision or practical ideas.
 Senator Oscar w. Underwood, in an address delivered in New York Tues day night, discussed the railroad situ- ation and government regulation. It was full of interest and the senator's review of transportation conditions and his appreciation of the magnitude of the transportation question in it's relation to the public revealed his characteristic grasp of large prob lens. Senator Underwood dwelt at length upon the governments policy of regulation. "We have undertaken the problem of governmental regula- tion of railroads and the government will not turn back" he said. "Regula- tion of practices and rates is here and here to stay"
 Everybody accepts the principle of government regulation of public car riers and the senator was very strong in urging "wise and just regulation" rather than "ill considered and danger ous regulation" The tone of his speech and every point in his discus sion made clear his friendliness to the railroads and his desire to see them earn fair dividends for the stock holders. He advocated the fullest pro- tection of capital consistent with regard for the rights of the people, but he went too far even in suggesting that if regulation failed-"unable to solve the vexed problems that con- front us'-the people twill accept government ownership of railroads as the next step ahead"
 In that connection he said that it was "a matter of great importance that we should earnestly endeavor to reach fair and reasonable solution of the problem of regulation at as early a day as possible"
 As democratic leader in the House of Representatives, MT. Underwood established an unmistakable record for conservatism. He has never been afflicted with "isms;" has never been radical in any of his views. And as he is not an advocate of government ownership his hint that it might come as "the next step" under certain con- ditions may be taken as merely well intentioned warning.
 But the railroad companies will work out the problems which have been so disquieting of late. The trans portation lines are managed today by men of brains, men of the highest sense of right and men of patriotic spirit. They stand in the forefront of upbuilders. They accept govern ment regulation as good thing for the roads and a good thing for their patrons. But they are right in pro- testing that there has been tendency on the part of some so-called reform CTS to persecute rather than aid the government in all that would promote business-like regulation. The more extensive the railroad systems become the greater the business statesman ship needed by the executive officials and the dominant members of boards of directors. Modern conditions have developed this class of men. The rail- roads of the east and the west and the north and the south all have men of exceptional capacity and exceptional public spirit for their executives and managers.
 Let government regulation keep within bounds and let public opinion crystalline around the idea of giving the common carriers fair deal, and we will hear in the future little about government ownership.