Arizona republican., 1917-12-11

the urgent requirements of the war. The commission insists that unifica- tion of operation should be conducted either by the carriers or by the preSi- dent.
 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 re- peal of the antitrust and anti-pooling laws as relating to. them; that they do not ask one billion dollars from the government or anybody else"
 MT. HarrisOnS letter to Senator New lands follows:
 The American railroad system has not broken down. On the contrary, it has in recent months handled 50 per cent more business than in 1915 with out material enlargement of plant.
 Some misconception seems to exist as to the immediate requirements of the railroads in their present situation. Their chief operating troubles are a volume of traffic greater than the ca pacity of the plants in certain limited territories, aggravated 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 pres ent management are prepared to fur nlsh 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 any, body else at the moment; they could not immediately invest it in plant and equipment if they hac 1t, because of the difficulty in getting materials and labor. That figure represents, in round figures, what ought to be spent in every year for several years to bring the American railroad plant up to capacity 10 handle efficiently the growing traf- ne. About $6O0,000,000 per annum on the average has been spent for a num- Der 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 asl. for repeal of the antitrust and anti-pooI- Ing laws as relating to them for thev do not consider such relief immcdiateI-, necessary to increase unified opera tions.
 The cooperative use of facilities Will be coEinued in such way as to obtaln maximum efficiency
 The present system of voluntary unlflcation is adequate for this. No interest has declined, or will declin. Tor selfish or other reasons to respond 10 the requirement or the present CO., operative organization.
 What the railroads do ask:
 5-The immediate appointment of a traffic officer to represent all impor- tant government departments in trans portatlon matters with whom the rail- roadS can deal, to secure active gov ernment cooperation, the prompt and orderly transportation of the govern ment traffic and avoid the excessive use or preference orders, which con gest traffic instead of facilitating it.
 4-Most of the railroads need more locomotives immediately and enough new cars to replace those worn out. There are approximately $500 1ocomo- tlVes and 33,000 cars stin on ord7r 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 15O,000 cars, in addition to those now in order, are necessary to meet the requirements of next year. This is no more than the railroads usually require every year and at present