The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1916-12-02
E. p. Ripley, President of Santa
Fe, Foresees Radical Changes.
Railway Management Must Fol-
low New System in Future.
ROADS ARE HAMPERED NOW
The Multiplicity of Regulating
Bodies Is Inconsistent.
Single Federal Commission
Would Suit Rail Men Better.

1--WE are drifting toward a radical
change of some sort. The present sys-
TEN of railway management is going
to break up" said e. P. Ripley, presi-
dent of the Santa Fe, in a recent in
terview published in 1.-The Nations
Business" Mr.. Ripley was answering
question as to whether he believed
that the government would eventually
own the railroads. His attitude on the
government ownership proposition is
pain from his next remark.
Whether we will have the misfor-
tune of government ownership, L am
unable to say. but this is certain-the
transportation companies will have to
be allowed to earn a sufficient sum of
real money when the war is over to
pay operating expenses, maintain the
efficiency of their service to the pub
lie and give a fair return to those who
invest in railway securities, or capital
will withdraw from this character of
investment. The prospect for such
privilege is not bright. The failure of
the government to manage the postal
department successfully causes think
ing citizens to shudder when they con-
template government ownership of
railroads, with their control, thru the
politicians, of hundreds of thousands
of employees in the transportation
service
The multiplicity of government
agencies which the railroads must look
to for regulation, is one of the chief
grievances of the railroads at present.
Mr. Ripley mentioned the latter with
much feeling.
objects to Persecution.
Nobody objects to the principle of
regulation. 1t is persecution to which
we object" he said. THE federal
and state governments have construct
ed ceiling above which the railroads
cannot rise during prosperous times,
but they have neglected to construct a
bottom thru which they cannot fall
when the lean years come. Govern
mental authorities have taken charge
/ of the management of our properties
and fixed our rates. When we make a
conclusive showing that the rules inn
posed upon us result in a disastrous
reduction in net earnings. authorities
usually shrug th.ir shoulders and let
| it go at that. OF course, this condition
| cannot last always. When a candle
burns at both ends-well, the time will
come when there won't be any can
de-
Mr.. Ripley called attention to the
fact that the price of transportation =
the only thing the railroads have for
sale-is about whore 1t was ten years
ago, while the price of everything
they buy, including labor, has steadily
advanced.
But this statement is trite for
every shipper and traveller, after a
moments thought will be ready to
admit that transportation is the only
item in his expense account which has
not been raised from % to $50 per
cent in the last decade" said the
Santa Fe president.
Too Many Bosses.
He would favor regulation of rail-
roads by one federal commission
rather than by a multiplicity of COM
missions The workman, for in
stance, says he, with a number of
bosses will not perform the best SER
vice, because of confusion comm {:
| from conflicting orders. The same
may be said of a railroad. Why,
there are things our railway company
is required to do under penalty in
some states which are prohibited I'M
der penalty in others. Regulation by
one commission would be more salts
factory to the railroads than the pres
| ent system, and the public would have
better service"
Mr.. Riply vehemently denied that
the Santa Fe is "defying'' the Adam
son eight hour law.
I'VE believe the law is vicious and
worthless and IL the supreme court
holds to the same view. we will ignore
it. If the supreme courts says the
law is good, we will obey it. There
will be no defiance of law, but we
shall try hard to set the case to the
courts in order that its constitutional
ity may be determined h said.