Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1916-04-10
TRANSPORTATION
BIG FEATURE Of
PREPAREDNESS
Carlsbad Man Gives Views on
Steps That Must Be Taken
to Put Country in Position
for National Defense.

/ ESPECIAL eoRssssonoEncu 70 MORNING JOURNAL
Carlsbad, n. NJ, April 9.-'Trans-
portation is in my opinion vital con-
sideration when planning sound
preparedness program said c. II.
McLenathen today when group was
discussing this subject. Il have fol-
lowed the progress of the war in Eu-
rope quite closely and | have become
greatly impressed with the part good
roads and railroads are playing In the
present conflict in France and Ger
many. Army corps are whisked long
distances by fast trains over night for
attack or defense.
Let me cite just one instance to
show the effect of this one factor of
readiness in transportation. In France
on July 81, 1914, the railroads were
carrying goods and passengers as
usual. The active troops were in their
garrisons. Then one day at $3.50 the
order came to entrain. At all tbs
units for the defense of the frontier
were in their trains. August the
first movement of troops was finish
ed. The first day the Eastern railway
alone moved 53S trains Of soldiers,
the second day 546 trains, finishing
the movement of the covering troops
on August 3. Perfect transportation
won the battle of the Marine. Had
French railway transportation failed
would have marched in triumph to
Paris.
Country Poorly Prepared.
THE United States is not even pre-
pared to move the present limited
army 200 miles on short notice. 1t
is nearly a criminal oversight that
may cost the country dearly 1t is not
only the matter of moving troops, but
supplies of food and ammunition
which are absolutely necessary even
in the rush Of small attachments now
huntin villa in Mexico.
Right here arises the question OF
the treatment of American railroads
by the government and the public. 1t
is really question If regulation in
certain directions has not gone to ex-
tremes as a result of the highway
methods praeticed by "A number of
railroad magnates in the east.
''rhe railroads are still paying for
the sins of the old robber railway
magnates. The feeling created years
ago against the railroads on account
of their disregard OF the public is
slowly disappearing. But this very
reiudice has laced the railways in A
ocular osltion as to regulation. Fed
eral and state commissions have been
doing their best to kee the railroads
from charging too high rates for
service. ON the other hand the gov
eminent has done nothing to regulate
the cost of operation. Freight rates
have been reduced by official orders
while wages have been advanced on
demand of combined employees
Weak Lines Suffer.
THE result has been that many
weaker lines have gone into the hands
of receivers At the same time the
government has given the railways no
encouragement to act quickly and ef-
feciently in case Of war or other
emergency when it becomes necessary
to move exceptional quantities OF
freight or passengers
but this is DEPRESSION. The point
want to make is that the United
states is wholly nnprepared to move
soldiers and supplies at the present
time. A large army without modern
means Of transportation is to my NINA
ornamental in a country as large as
ours.
"On top Of this comes the threat
of a general strike on all the rail-
roads in the United States unless the
roads grant an eight hour day with
out reduction in pay. II is concerted
movement involving over 3Oo.ouo
men. Should the other 1000, 900 rail-
way employees join in the movement,
the condition would be frightfui,
do not know anything about the
merits of the present controversy, put
IT is generally understood that the
engineers and conductors are well
paid
"The United States, to my mihd,
needs give heed to better means OF
transportation and encourage the
building of good roads and railroad
efficiency
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