Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1917-12-09
EVANGELICAL AND OTHERWISE.
BY 7. A. FLEMING.

These days we are accustomed to Ee-
ports of congestions on railroads. OF
utter inability to handle the nations
business in this critical period, when
the nations business must be handled.
Those who understand the immense
ness of the great railroad systems of
tho country stand in wonder that they
have been clogged thus early In the
game and ip weather that has per-
mitted of operation to the fullest ex-
tent.
There is a cause, there is a reason.
During the first six months of par
ttcipation in the war is per cent more
freight was handled than during the
corresponding months of 1916. record
year that tested the top facilities in
every line and approximately more than
in the same period OF 1915.
In addition normal traffic has been
heavy and 100000 soldiers have been
transported. This was equivalent to
an addition Of 5000 locomotives and
$50, 900 cars to the various branches
of the service. Employees have lessen
ed by 1874 per cent.
Freight to the amount Of 10000 car
loads have been hauled to Army
camps and 1900 carloads of freight
have been handled for the shipping board.
Experts estimate that the war has
added to the burden of the railroads
equivalent to carrying 100.OO0.0OO,o0
to 100, o00. 100000 tons of freight one
mile. or In excess of the combined
freight traffic in one year of normal
times, in Great Britain, France AIS
tria, Russia and Germany combined.
Yet the Interstate Commerce Commits
sion's report shows that the railroads
for the first nine months of 1917. lost,
tn vi q
Of 1916. matter of S50,000,000. These
facts are authenticated.
Time for Attention.
1t is high time for action in the in
terests of the railroads. A great stride
has been taken in pooling and CO.
ordinating thirty eight railway systems
north of the Ohio and Potomac rivers
and east of Chicago. the government
cancelling for the time being its anti
pooling laws. and probably shelving the
Sherman antitrust law, which it has
smashed time and again under the
stress of military necessity.
No one seems to understand just what
government control would mean for
the railroads. but in a way it would
mean ample cash for necessary better
ment. What it would mean in the mat
ter of treatment of brotherhoods, of
meeting maturing obligations. etc, is
an unsettled question.
At first thought Wall street approved
the suggestion of government control
and anagement and a sharp advance
was scored on the suggestion by the
Interstate Commerce Commission, but
on second consideration the street sold
stocks, which would lead to the in
ference that it does not favor control.
On this point Henry Clews, dean of
Wall street. has this to say:
THE advance which followed an
management of the Interstate Com
merce Commission plan was not sus-
tanned, owing to the uncertainty as to
what action would be taken. Some dis
cussion Is. of course, inevitable, but 1t
seems hardly probable that Congress
will unnecessarily delay settlement of
the railroad problem. which is such a
vital. factor In our successful conduct
of the war. Not less than a billion
dollars will be required during the
coming year to put the roads in eff
flcient condition. Our government Is
already carrying burdens enough with
out adding the railroads, and 1t Is not
to the interest of owners, shippers or
employees to change from private to
government control until private man
agement has had the fair chance de-
MED for number Of years"
Mr.. Clews also expresses confidence
in scientific, careful and harmless price,