Evening journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1888-1932, 1917-06-19
THE RAILROAD SITUATION.


TRANSPORTATION enters into the life OF all The
railroads enable the wheat fields OF the Far West
to answer the daily prayer for bread Of the cities OF the
East
Fully half the people OF tho United States are directly
interested in the prosperity OF the railroads They
furnish livelihood for OF every ten Indus
tries dependent upon railroad business employ one per.
son out Of Every phase OF our national
life Is dependent in degree upon the railroads
Their value and importance to the entire country in
war or peace, make their welfare at all times matter
Of the greatest necessity
Each era in the development OF the American rail-
roads has been marked by problems that we're peculiar
to the period The first was construction Next after
period OF railway expansion such as the world had
never seen before. came the problem OF competition
In more recent years has been regulated This is one
OF the problems not yet solved regulation has thus
far failed to protect equally the interests OF the in
weston OF the shipper, and Of the public new era
for railroads, however to be at hand Il is a
period of cooperation and coordination in which the
interests Of all will be considered
The establishment OF better understanding and
spirit OF helpful cooperation among all the interests
involved is long step toward the solution Of any big
problem. In this behalf tho Guaranty Trust Com
pany. Of New York has just issued booklet. "rhe
Railroad Situation" which presents the facts states
with unusual clearness the problems which now con-
front the railroads. and suggests how they may be
solved.
American railroads today nlnety-hve different
masters These are the ninety-hve Independent un Co
ordnated legislative and regulating bodies represent
ing the Federal Government and the fortyeght States
They are attempting TO regulate the railroads down TO
the minutest details Of their operation The general
enect is 10 increase the railroads burdens and OK
penses, without providing means TO meet them This
briefly is the problem of regulation
Nearly everything except railroad transportation has
doubled in price The railroad is still carrying freight
and passengers at the old rates but II is paying twice
as much for everything it buys. That is the essence
OF another phase OF the railroad problem Still other
questions concern wages shortage and the vaiua-
ton Of railroad property
All these problems are handcaps to the transpora-
ton system. The Guaranty Trust Compenys booklet
points that these questions demand the attention
and understanding OF the public that the railroads
OF this country may be brought 10 the point OF highest
usefulness and service to the nation
Despite the most exacting and embarrassing oondi-
tons the railroads OF this country have accomplished
surprising results. American railroad freight charges
are the lowest in the world the wages paid are the
highest and the operating efficient is the greatest
Constructive suggestions which may be offered 10 relieve
the railroad situation Immediately and which II adoped
promise better day for the railroads than they have
seen within decade, are thus briefly summed up in
this booklet Increased rates The Federal regulation
Of rates and security larger interstate Com
merce Commission with regional and functional divi-
sions Cooperation the part OF legislative reguat-
Ing and shipping interests to protect railroad credit
and 10 further railroad expansion The cooperation Of
Investors to protect and maintain railroad credit The
recognition of our national unity OF interest in funda-
mental economic problem
All these suggestions are obviously practicable II
ney were carried out great impetus would be given
no. only to railroads but to business generally
Inc Keynote Of the hour is national unity" saws
ne concluding paragraph this booklet In unity NJ
and spirit the railroad situation must be ap
nv rom
IN order that this fundamental econornic Doh, a.,
winch The prosperity of all is involved NAV he solved
along right lines in fairness to ALL for the comn,on
good 'ns common