Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1917-12-13
,ernment or anybody else."

government or anybody else."
THE RAILROADS POSITION.
Mr.. Harrison's letter to Senator New
lands follows:
1.-THE American railroad system has not
broken down. On the contrary It has in
recent months handled fifty per cent. more
business than in 1915 without material en-
largement Of plant.
"Some misconception seems to exist as
to the immediate requirements Of the rail-
roads in their present situation. Their
chief operating troubles are a volume Of
traffic greater than the capacity Of the
plants in certain limited territories, ag-
gravated by excessive use of preference
orders, and their now serious malady Of
'dilution' Of labor. which is general
throughout the country and common to
all industry. Nevertheless, the railroads
under present management are prepared
to furnish all the transportation which
the existing plant can produce under any
form of management
What the railroads do not ask:
'1-They do not ask one billion dollars
from the government or anybody else at
the moment; they could not Immediately
invest 1t in plant and equipment IL they
had 1t, because of the difficulty in getting
materials and labor. That figure repre-
sents. in round figures, what ought to be
spent in every year for several years to
bring the American railroad plant up to
capacity to handle efficiently the growing
traffic. About 5000 ,000, 900 per annum on the
average has been spent for a number of
years for road and equipment, which at
present prices, would be equivalent to
about one billion dollars for road and
equipment.
"2-They do not at this time ask for
repeal Of the antitrust and anti-pool-
ing laws as relating to them for they
do not consider such relief Immediate
ly necessary to increase unified opera
lions.
1.-The cooperative use of facilities
will be continued in such way as to
| obtain maximum efficiency.
"The present system of voluntary
| unification Is adequate for this. No In
terest has declined. or will decline, for
selfish or other reasons to respond ia
the requirement Of the present CO.
operative organization.
WHAT THE RAILROADS DO ASK:
"3-The immediate appointment Of a
traffic officer to represent all i'm
portant government departments In
transportation matters. with whom the
railroads can deal. to secure active
government cooperation. the prompt
and orderly transportation of the gov.
, eminent traffic and avoid the exces.
sive use Of preference orders, which
congest traffic instead Of facilitating
1t.
| 4-Most Of the railroads need more
locomotives Immediately and enough
new cars to replace those worn out
There are approximately $500 locomo
tives Immediately and enough new carr
to replace those worn out There ART
approximately $500 locomotives ant
$4,000 stars still on order undeliveet
for American railroads. The raiload
expect to provide the capital. Priority
orders are essential for prompt deliv
cry of such equipment.
"5-Approximately 1000 Locomotives
and 100000 cars. in addition to thos'
now on order, are necessary for earl!
construction to meet the requirement
of next year. This Is no moro than tn
railroads usually require every year
and at present prices represent a cos
Of approximately $5O0.000.000. While
number Of the railroads are able T.
purchase their quotas Of such equip
ment without aid. 1t Is apparent tina
because the United States has neces
sarily occupied the investment marke
for war loans, as evidenced by the re
cent request Of the secretary of tn
treasury that no new private financing
shall be undertaken without confer
ences with him. the railroads general
cannot next year provide through thei
usual channels for the capital require
ments for the acquisition of equipmen
and other possible additions to plant
They invoke. therefore. the co-opera
ton and aid of the government throug
the treasury department and the feders
, reserve board to secure for them, o
their own Individual credit, the ne'
: capital found by the government to
> necessary not only for enlargement {
, plant but for renewing maturing obi
cations.
= "6-Immediate increases in rates q
defined by the interstate commerce
a commission special report to meet ir
/; creasing operating expenses an
= strengthen railroads credit are nece.
1 sary In eastern territory. and may b,
: come necessary in other territories.
r "7-Railroad men drafted to be er
= rolled and assigned to railroad servi.
0 until actually needed for military ser,
Q ice"