Bisbee daily review., 1917-12-11

sion and therailroad war board, COM
posed of railway executives, differ as
to the necessity of legislation in order
to NEE. the urgent requirements OF
the war. The Commission insists that
unification of operation shouldt be
conducted either by the carriers or by
the president.
1.-The railroads. on the other hand,
claim that there is no necessity for
legislation; that the unification of the
railways already arranged for under
the railroad war board is proceeding
successfully and will be further per
fected; that they do not ask for the
repeal of the antitrust and anti pool
ing laws as relating to them; that
they do not ask one billion dollars
from the government or anybody else"
Harrison's Letter
Mr. Harrison's letter to Senator
Newlands follows:
The American railroad system has
not broken down. On the contrary 1t
has in recent months handled so per
cent more business than in 1915 with
out material enlargement of plant.
Some misconception seems to ex-
is. as ID the immediate reQuirments
of the railroads in their present situa-
ton. Their chief operating troubles
are a volume of traffic greater than
the capacity of the plants in certain
limited territories. aggravated by ex-
cessiye use of preference orders, and
their now serious malady of 'diluio
of labor, which is general throughout
- I'D 70 oil irHIfc-
try. 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 Railroads Don't Ask
'I-They do ask one billion dollars
from the government or anybody else
at the moment; the~ could not imme-
diatiely invest in plant and equipment
ifIhey had il, because of the diff
ficulty in getting materials and labor.
That figure represents, in round fig
ures what ought to be spent in every
year for several years to bring the
American railroad plant up to capacity
- handle efficiently the growing
traffic. About $500 100000 per annum
on theayerage has been spent for a
number of years for road and equip
ment, which at present prices, would
be equivalent to about one billion dol
lars for road and equipment.
''2-They do not, al this time, ask
for repeal of the antitrust andanti-
Looling laws as relating to them, for
they do not consider such relief inn
lediately necessary to increase unfit
ed operations.
"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
interest has declined, or will decline,
Or selfish or other reasons, to respond
TO the requirement of the present CO.
operative organization.
What the Railroads Do Ask
"3.-The immediate appointment of
traffic officer to represent all i'm
portant departments in Transports
ion matters with who mthe railroads
can deal, to secure active government
cooperation, the prompt and orderly
transportation of the government traf-
fic and avoid the excessive use OF
preference orders, which longest traf-
fic instead of facilitating it.
Most of the railroads need more
locomotives. Immediately and enough
new cars to replace those worn out.
There are approximately $500 locomo-
tives and $4,000 cars still on order
undelivered for American railroads.
The railroads expect to provide the
capital Priority orders are essential
for delivery of such equipment.
"5.-Approximately 5000 locomotives
and 100000 cars. in addition to those
now on order. are necessary TO meet
the requirments of next year. This Is