The daily Gate City and constitution-Democrat. (Keokuk, Iowa) 1916-1922, 1917-12-29
|enrr,er Keoieui< Man and Prominent
railroad Attorney Talks About
Presidents Move In
This Matter.
HUGE TASK IS IMPOSED
General public Not Likely to See Any
Great Change In the Operation
Of Systems at This
Time.

Keokuk people know James c..
Davis. and know that what he says
carries with it the weight of authority.
His Views on the governments taking
over the roads, naturally are interest
ing In the following in the Des
Moines Register he discusses what he
calls the huge task:
The action OF the president in
formally taking possession OF all OF
the railroads and coast-wise transpor-
tation facilities OF the United States Is
such a stupendous proposition that no
one at this time can tell what the final
result will be. Some idea of the mag
nitude OF the enterprise is suggested
when YOU consider that there are over
267 900 miles of railroad owned by
more than half million people, with
capitalized cost of $40, 100000, 900, en-
ploying more than two million men,
with an annual pay roll in excess OF
$1,000, 000.O 900.
These figures are staggering when
It ia considered that an effort will be
made to operate this great interest as
an amalgamated single proposition.
No Immediate Change.
So far as the formal proclamation OF
the president is concerned. and the
general duties OF the secretary OF the
treasury as railroad director, there
will be no Immediate change in the de-
tailed operation Of the railroads. Inc
government director is to operate
them through the present management
OF the roads.
The general effect of this action on
the part Of the railroads is to place
- y,,ifn SfafDS
the hands Of receiver, and the oper-
alton Of the roads, to a limited extent,
win be similar to the operation OF a
great system of railroads In the hands
Of receiver appointed by the United
States court.
Necessity Apparent.
The necessity of this action on the
nFt OF the president is apparent IN
lew Of the fact that, because OF con-
letting private interests, and the very
btural effect on tn a part of individual
kanagements to maintain the suprem-
CIV Of their own line 1t has been found
Impossible to get the fullest efficiency
hut OF the railroads by separate man
Agement. It is conceded that, SO far
As possible. the railroads have at
Itempted to cooperate with the govern
ment not only with ability but with
patriotism. but. because OF adj
verse legislation, heretofore supposed
10 be In the interest Of efficiency, not
ably the prohibition against contracts
between railroads in the nature OF
4 pooling their facilities, the private ar
rangement undertaken has not ceen
Y altog ether successful.
objects Of the President.
i The object of the president IN
making this move would seem 10 oe
threefold:
First-A desire to obtain more eff
Ac,ent service in the essentials in the
general transportation scheme OF the
Tinted States. so that munitions, men,
ana supplies for the government may
he moved under priority orders; that
the people may be supplied with ne
cessities, such as coal and food, with.
ont DELAY. and that the channels OF
commerce shall be kept open On lines
Of greatest efficiency, rather than CIV
ING preference to any one particular
road or line.
Second-In view OF threatened
strikes and labor troubles, the govern
ment, having taken possession OF the
railroads. Is IN uuCu saoA5oA 49,
ton to determine what Is fa1r as pe,
tween the compensation to be allowed
employees and the railroads for thelr
services. All men in the service OF the
railroads. as a result of this proclama
ton. will be put into government serv.
ice. and will bear the same relation 70
the government as mail carriers OF
men in the army. and strike on 'he
railroads during the war, under presen
conditions, would be strike agalns
the government, just as a strike o
mail carriers, or policemen, OF sol
ciers. would be against the govern
ments which they serve.
I Third-The owners of the railroau
Y have every assurance so far as tn
president can give same that the PROF
erty will be maintained at It's presen
state OF e-Aciency, and that the aVel
age earnings for the last three year
win be maintained, so that railroad II
vestors have the assurance Oh III
president that they will be protected
The government is now the great Do
rover in this country. The railroad
are needing large sums for necessar
betterments. Under government pr
lection the rivalry between the raj
roads and the government, in seekin
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