Evening journal., 1915-01-01

invest billions of money in the build
ing of railroads even though they
might have no voice in the manage
ment of these roads or in the fixing
of the rates for passenger and freight
business. II is difficult to imagine
anything much more absurd than
this theory One of its dire results
is seen in the figures published last
week that in sixteen States the new
railroad mileage was less than in
any year since 1880, when the coun-
try had only ono-half of its present
population and less than One-half
the average annual new mileage built
in any year since 1880.
The very men who are decrying
railroads and constantly fighting them
could not be tempted to invest their
money in railroad securities under
such conditions. But the Interstate
Commerce Commission In its recent
decision has given some indication
that it is beginning to sec a new light
and beginning to recognize that 1t is
not a wise policy TO destroy the rail-
roads There is much of hope in
that reversal Of all its former poll
cies. II indicates that the members
of the Commission are not so abso-
lutely bound by precedent as not to
be willing to reverse themselves to
save the railroads of the country
/ from ruin.
/ This change OF position by the In
/ terstate Commerce Commission and
/ the opening of the new year might
4 be used as an Opportune occasion for
/ all in authority in Washington and
/ IN State governments to be willing,
4 IL necessary. to reverse former poll
! cies and 10 set forth the view that
( it is time for the ten-year war upon
business. from which We have been
/ suffering. to cease II should be
proclaimed everywhere that our con-
ditlon is not due TO the European
war. but existed TO a large extent
before the war and. disregardiny the
mouihings of the ranters who live
by continual agitation. make broad
and sweeping proclamatOns that the
whcic power of the National and
Siale administrations will be con
centrated upon the upbuilding Of
business, and that every effort will
be made to cooperate with the busi-
ness men of the country in reviy!ns
our business interests AID in restOr-
idg general prosperity.
Il IT, within his power. by reason
OF his position as the head of this
greas nation, for Presiden, Wilson ia
take the lead in work of almost
iim;tless potentialities for good by
calling the country back to sanity OF
thinking and acting bnd to an en-
thusiastic cooperation with the busi-
ness forces in leading this nation oui
Of the poverty of the present to thai
broad prosperity to which we arc
rightly entitled. Others would quick
ly follow him.
We have looked with horror upon
Eurcpe's awful war, but we have has
a ten-year war upon business which
should be stopped to the everlasting
gratitude of the people of the cOun.
try. to the rescuing of hundreds Of
thousands from the deepest poverty
and the direst suffering. and to the
saving of thousands from death by
reason of poverty.
The only war we should now have
is war upon the war against bust
ness.
The administration and the domin.
ant party in Washington could lead
the forces of the nation into construc
tive upbuilding if they would invite
as advisers and colaborers the mos
far-seeing business men of every
section and pledge to them and tC
the nation at large the utmost power
that is within them to restore pros
perity and stop the ceaseless death
dealing war upon business. If this
should be done, Il would have a tire
mendous influence in changing fo
the better the conditions now exist
ing and in bringing the country bacl