Evening star., 1915-06-21
INSIST RAILROADS NEED
MORE TRAFFIC, LESS LAW
Transportation Heads Declare Too
Much Regulation Has injured
Big Systems.

| The present difficulties and outlook
of American railroads, as some of their
\ presidents see them, are discussed in
! the June issue of the Nations Business,
| the official publication of the Chamber
! of Commerce of the United States. A.
| II. Smith, president of the New York
/ Central, goes into the situation at
| length. From purely railroad stand
point, Mr.. Smith declares, the prospects
will be determined largely by the atti-
tude OF the public toward railroads.
with respect to the eliminating of leg
islation and regulations which are un-
remunerative to the stockholders, and
also eliminating regulations which are
not beneficial to the public as a whole.
The, railroads need most, just now
and for the future Mr.. Smith goes on,
ito be correctly understood and appre-
ciated by the people, as the most es-
sential element in the present and fu-
ture commercial prosperity of this
county. and they need to have accord
ed to them fair, just and reasonab BILE
treatment by the public, by legisla
lures. commissions and other regula
tive bodies, in order that they may ex-
pand, develop into efficient methods and
improve their service.
1T is believed that the need is ap-
preciated by the great ma jority of the
principal shippers and travellers, but
there are many others-and proba bly,
majority of people-whose daily af-
fairs are SO remote from the details of
commerce that they often constitute
without knowing or appreciating that
in the end they will be vitality injured"
James J. Hill, the veteran railroad
president of the country, sums up what
q faN
In my opinion" the pioneer con-
cludes, there is nothing in sight going
10 show that general business in this
country, outside of war material for
export. has improved or is improving"
Need More Traffic, Less Law.
The railroads need more than any
thing else increased traffic and less
regulation. according to F.. d. Under
wood. president OF the Erie.
Until such traffic is forthcoming"
Mr.. Underwood says. there will be,
fear. small improvement in existing
conditions. although the harvesting of
a good crop, such as now seems in
prospect will undoubtedly help much"
More business is the keynote also of
what Daniel Willard. president of the
Baltimore and Ohio. has to say. Pros
poets as he sees them are hopeful. In
creased larger gross revenue. in the
opinion of Julius Kruttschnitt, chair
man of the executive committee of the
Southern Pacific, can be produced eth
er by more traffic than at present rates
or by a much higher rate on existing
traffic
The first solution is dependent upon
the condition of general business" Mr..
kruttschnitt explains. THE latter is
function of governmental authority.
The railroads need relief from further
embarrassing legislation. Regarding
the immediate prospects of railroads in
the United States, l think in genera.
the probability is increasing that rail-
way needs will be promptly appre-
ciated by the public. Public under
standing OF the railroad situation is
becoming clearer and the public atti
tude more sympathetic"
Along this line Mr.. Smith Of the New
York Central says unfortunately much
legislation although doubtless enacted
in godd faith. has been enacted with
out u detailed knowledge OF the situh-
tion, or without accepting the advice
or suggestions Of experts, or even of
the governments own commissions. He
was of the opinion that such legisla-
tion has impaired the efficiency, de-
moralized discipline and imposed un-
necessary expenses both upon the pub
lie and upon the railroads without ben
eft to either.
Mr smith said in spite of the foreign
situation which somewhat embarrass-
es our trade, our home business ap-
pears to be active, with indications of
constant growth.