Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1917-10-17
EXPERTS PREDICTS END
OF WAR: ALLIES TO WIN

Chicago, Oct 7.-E. P. Ripley, Presi-
dent of the Atchison, Topeka & Santa
Fe Railroad Company, looks for
quick finish Of the world war
"The Germans" said Mr. Ripley,
must fight to the end with their
armies as now organized They have
no reserve force from which to draw
and cannot possibly last till their
children reach military age On the
other hand, the allies are gaining in
strength steadily by the arrival of
American units at the front. In lit
tie while the allied armies will be
Overwhelming and the Germans will
be crushed in the spring, at the latest
I heard a New York man capable of
discussing the subject, express the
opinion that the Germans would ask
for peace negotiations before Christ
mas, but | am inclined to believe that
operations in the Spring will be nee
essary for a complete victory"
In your opinion, has the United
States Government conducted it's part
of the war wisely?" Mr.. Ripley was
asked.
'As a whole, our Government has
done remarkably WE'LL" he replied
"The administration very wisely call
the emergency, regardless of the
political utilization of those selected.
In addition, to get more efficiency, it
threw into the waste basket a lot of
hampering laws, including most of the
antitrust laws. True, a great many
blunders have been made, but we must
remember that the war game with
most of us is new. 1t is easy to critic
Use the Government for it's manage
ment of the war; but critics are not
always fair"
will the transportation needs of
the country be met during the warp
Eyes. The railroads, have merged
their interests, will be able to handle
both Government and commercial traf-
fic with the minimum of delay. Dur
ing rush times the service may not
always be perfect, but it will be as
nearly perfect as any other class Of
service under human management.
ment. The railroads will have no diff
ficulty in hauling and exporting stuff
to the seaboard as rapidly as ships
can be provided for it."
'Will the new Liberty Loan be
floated quickly?"
1T will be floated, and quickly, if
the people understand the situation.
IL lanes DIOuGy W Will wars ANU HOW
that we are in the world war to stay.
the money to win it will have to be
raised, if not by the sale of bonds,
then by taxation. The wise will buy
bonds, for with bonds they will get
their money back with interest
There is no money back in taxation;
and if the money needed to carry on
the war is not raised by bond sales,
Congress will enact an income tax
law which will catch everybody big
and little. Nobody is going to escape
his obligation in the fight in which
the United States is now engaged !"
After the war is over, what viii
be the attitude Of the people toward
the railroad?"
Il am not enough of prophet to
answer that. Some folks say we are
drifting toward Government owner
ship. Others believe there will be lit
tie Government ownership talk after
the war, in view of the achievements
under the methods of the Railroads
War Board. Still others think the
politicians will get the idea from the
present handling of transportation
problems that private ownership with
government support sort of com
PROMISES the best way The war
is full of lessons. Here's hoping that
we all NAV learn them.