The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-11-26
WANTS ROADS READY
TO MOVE SOLDIERS
c. II. Markham Points Out I'm.
p0rtant Role Of Carriers
in Defence Plans.
SUGGESTS ENGLAND'S WAY

The important role which the rail.
roads Of this country would be called
upon to play In the event OF war be-
tween tho United States and any other
Power Is emphasized In a letter from
c. II. Markham. president Of the 1lli-
nois Central Railroad. TO the editor Of
the Economic World which will appear
in that journal tomorrow.
Mr.. Markham suggests that the pre-
paredness programme might provide
a national regulation under which in
the event OF wal the railroads could be
taken over for operation by the Gov
eminent. This would be modelled after
h British regulation. which permitted
such a taking over OF the roads Of
England last year. Mr.. Markham urges
a conference between representatives OF
the Government n of the railways
with this phase Of preparedness in view.
Mr.. Markham points out, however.
that the physical condition Of some OF
the American lines Is not such as to
enable them to support such a burden as
mobilization might place pom them
suddenly. This condition, he says. can
more liberal and enlightened policy OF
public regulation" In the course of
his letter Mr.. Markham says:
Under modern conditions railroads
constitute one OF the most important
factors in any system OF preparedness
for national defence. The superiority
Of Prussia's railways contributed greatly
to its triumph over Austria in 1866 and
over France in 1S70-ls7l. The unsat.s-
factory condition of Russia's railways
seriously Urippled II in its struggle
with Japan. Railways ave played IA
even more important part in the pres
ent war in Europe than in any proceed
ing struggle.
"If the United States should become
involved In war with IN first-rate
Power. the celebrity with which 1t could
move large bodies of troops from one
, part of the country to another might
determine the result of the contest.
The two main essentials TO fitting them
to serve efficiently in war appear to be
first. to provide. in the event OF war.
for a centralized organization II con
troll OF he entire system and. second.
TO adopt measures that will promote
the raising OF their physical efficiency
TO a standard which will enable them
to meet every demand II IL probable
hostilities would make Oh them.
''Our situation In some important re.
spects Is similar to that Of England be-
fore the present war in Europe began
Our railways are owned and managed
| by numerous private companies. Any
sound scheme of preparedness would
necessarily provide means whereby IN
, case OF need they could promptly bs
; brought under the direction and man.
! agement OF a central authority repre-.
senting the Federal Government. The
railways Of Great Britain are owned
by numerous independent companies
and the plan followed In bringing then
quickly under central control and n
agement affords an example which We
might follow here. A railway cxecu
tive committee was organized OF which
the president OF the Board of Trade
who is "A Cabinet Minister. became tx,
ofiicio chairman, while ii. a. Walker
general manager OF the London ano
South Western. became acting chair
man. The other members OF the com
mittee are the general managers of ter
of the leading railways.
"Under the act OF Parliament tn,
Government guarantees the companies
during the war the same net return
which they were earning when II began
The railways OF Great Britain hav,
been operated under this arrangement
up to the present time, From all re
ports II has worked admirably. II Il
claimed that there never has been
time when the railways have not beer
able to handle promptly all the militar!
traffic that the Government has givei
them.
at would seem that one Of the EARL
est steps that should he taken by tn,
Government OF the United States to pu