The Clovis news. [volume] (Clovis, N.M.) 1907-1929, 1917-10-11
WHAT Mr.. RIPLEY
THINKS ABOUT WAR

Chicago. oct l. T.. =. Ripley Of the
AlchiSmL Topeka n Santa Fc Rail
way company. looks for II quick finish
of the world war. The Germans he
said, must iight tu the end with their
armies rs now organized They have
nu reserve force from which to draw
and cannot possibly last till their chill
dron reach military age. On the other
hand. the allies are gaining in strength
steadily by the arrival of American
units M the front. In little while the
allied armies will he overwhelming.
aud the Germans will b. crushed in the
spring nt the latest heard Il New
York man capable Of discussing the
subject express the opinion that the
Germans would ask for peace ncgoiia-
tion> before Christmas, but am in
clincd 10 believe that operations in the
spring will bc necessary for II con-
pelc victory"
"In your opinion. has the United
States government conducted its part
of the war wisely" Mr. Ripley was
asked.
AS Il whole. our government has
done remarkably we'll" he replied.
THE administration very wisely draft
ed the hest business and professional
men obiainable to help IN the emrrg-
ency. regardless of the political atlilia-
tion Of those selected In addition. to
get more efficiency. II threw into the
waste basket Il lot of hamperng laws.
including most Of the antitrust laws.
True. great many blunders have
been made, hut we must remember
that the war game with mos! Of us is
new, II is easy to criticise the gov
crlmcnt for its management Of the war;
hut critics are not always fair"
"Will the transportation needs of the
country be- met during the war;"
Yes. The railroads having merged
their interests. will he able to handle
both government and commercial trutlc
with the minimum of delay. During
rush times the service may not always
he perfect. but II will he as nearly per-
feet as any other class Of service I'M
der human management The railroads
will have no difficulty IN hauling cX-
port stun To the Seaboards rs rapidly
as ships can he provided for it"
"Wll the new liberty loan he float
cd quickly"
1T will bc nontrd and quickly, il
the people understand the situation, II
takes money tu win wars. aud now
that we are in the world war to stay,
the money to win /, will have to he
raised. Il not by the sale of bonds,
then by taxation. The wise will buy
bone , for MS bondholdcrS, they will
get their money back. with interest
Their is no money back in taxation:
and If the money needed to carry on
the war | not raised by bond sales,
congress W enact m income tax law
which will catch everyhody. big and
little No citizen is going to escape
his obligation in the fight IN which the
Tinted States now is engaged
After the war is over. what will he
the attitude of the people toward the
railroads.
II am not enough Of prophet to
answer that. Some folks say We are
drifting more rapidly than ever be
fore toward government ownership
Others believe there will he little gov
crnment ownership talk after the war
in view of the achievements under
the methods of the railroads war
board. Still others think the polite
ians will get the idea from the pres
cnt handling Of transportation prob
lens that private ownership with gov
crnmcn support a sort Of compromise
is the best way. The war is full
OF lessons. Here's hoping that we all
may lrlrp thorn"