Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1915-07-17
CANADIAN LINES TO BE PLACED
UNDER FEDERAL CONTROL
AND OPERATION.
MAY INFLUENCE ACTION
IN THE UNITED STATES
Experiment in Canada to Attract Wide
Attention in This country-Attituds
Of American Railroads Causing In.
creased Sentiment For Government.
Control.
Especial Correspondence

Washington, July 17.-Government
ownership and operation of railroads
is likely to be profoundly Influenced
in the United States by the action of
the Canadian government. From OF
tawa comes the report that the Cana
dian government has practically de-
cided to take over the Canadian Nor
thern: that 1t will at once take over
and operate the National Transcon-
tinental, reaching from Winnipeg to
New Brunswick and the Lake Superior
branch of the Grand Trunk Pacific,
and that it may TAXI over the Grand
Trunk Pacific, stretching from Winni-
peg to the Pacific coast.
1t s we'll known that the Canadian
government has been seriously consid-
ering government ownership and oper-
many months. The problem has been
forced on the Canadian government in
part by financial difficulties of certain
of the roads and their failure to meas
ure up to the expectations of new set
tiers who have sought TO develop lands
along new lines and then found them
Compels Consideration in Y. S.
Although the situation In Canada
with respect to government ownership
and operation has not received in the
United States the notice II has de-
served. it is recognized here by expert
students of railroad problems that II
Canada goes to government ownership
on great scale it will compel this gov
cr, "a ui,. rhoroneyN
consideration to government ownership
than it has ever done before. Espe-
cially would this be the case II in a
few years time it was perceived that
the new policy in Canada was a sue
cess.
Some years ago the movement Of
immigrants from this country to Can
ada developed into great proportions.
Then. after many of the persons mi
grating had been disappointed, it fell
off. 1t is to be expected that after the
war in Europe a most energetic effort
will be made by Canada to force de-
yeIopment and colonization. both from
Europe and the United States. Tho
Canadian government has for years
fostered immigration. II now it takes
over some of the leading railroads.
such roads as the Canadian Northern
and the Grand Trunk Pacific, which
run thru huge territories more or less
inviting for agricultural settlers, it
needs no diagram to point out that
such inducements will be offered as
are likely 10 result once more in a
heavy drain from the United States of
most desirable elements in the farming
population.
Attitude of Roads Aids Cause.
If this does eventuate, as seems en-
tirelv possible, In fact likely, the sup
porters OF government ownership Of
railroads in the United States may be
expected to make the utmost possible
use of 1t in seeking to promote the
cause of government ownership and
operation in this country.
The experiment In Canada, IL Is
plain, will attract the keenest attention
from this side. 1t will attract the
more because the recent tendencies OF
the railroads to increase rates with
the support Of the administration and
the interstate commerce commission
have caused great dissatisfaction
among many shippers and producers
with the system of railroad regulation
in the United States. This dissatisfac-
ton vii! be voiced in congress pretty
freely this winter.
AS is we'll known. there Is much
more sentiment in congress for gov
eminent ownership than appears on
the surface. The average politician is
timid about urging 1t. But the move
ment in congress for government own
ership of ships. the passage OF the
Alaskan railroad bill, the recommends
tons of the postoffice department for
government ownership of telegraphs
and telephones-all reveal the real
situation. A successful venture by Ca
NADIA into government ownership would
unquestionably make the agitation on
this side Of the border much more
pronounced.