Honolulu star-bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1912-2010, 1917-11-26
EDITOR
Putting Railroads on a War Basis

No more drastic war step has been taken IN the
United States than the pooling agreement reached
BY the big railroads. particularly applying to those
operating east of Chicago. And more drastic suli
is the admittedly imminent prospect that the gov
eminent itself will take the lines and run them
on war basis.
This is longer step than the communicating OF
vessels than the taking Of shipyards and snip
contracts; or than price control food and fuel
But it is step which is probably not only acquiesc-
ed In but even welcomed by the roads: =.
Traffic conditions as indicated by recent des-
patches have been badly disOrganized. The move
ment of troops and supplies east and south has had
to contend with countercurrents Of materials NOV
ing west The old difficulty over the "emptles =
that is the return to their own lines OF trelght-
cars after discharge of the freight-has been only
partially aightened out, with the result that
thousands of empty cars are lying at various yards
or lonely sidetracks at the very time when almost
every road in the country is hunting for rolling
stock and is far behind in its traffic orders
This, however, is not the only reason why the
roads are so ready to enter the pooling agreement
with the government. 1t is probable that labor con-
ditions constitute the main reason. .-
The impending demands of the railway brother
hoods for higher wages at time when, say
the roads, the demands cannot be met The brother,
hoods have already shown their willingness to strike
and tieAup the American transportation system in
the midst of national crisis Previously the roads
were forced to yield The Adanlson bill passed Con
gress the national administration took the side of
the brotherhoods, and the corporations submitted.
The roads now declare that unless they can Sc
cure an increase in rates it is simply impossible to
meet the demands of their conductors trainmen and
locomotive engineers
At the clashing of issues the government steps in
with the declaration that war-supplies and troops
must be moved, the lines must be kept clear for
emergencies. Which is entirely proper. There is
no question of it. And the roads, facing the dark
est of situations unite with Uncle Sam in plan
whereby the war board may operate all the big lines
east of Chicago one big system.
1t will he interesting to what happens to
the demands of the brotherhoods also what happens
TO freight and passenger rates. Will the govern
ment operate on the margin which the railroads
have been operating upon? VIII the government
meet the threats of the brotherhood leaders with
raise all around? And, if so, what will then hap
pen to the charges upon the public?
Hawaii is having an interesting lesson in govern
ment operation-that of the steamers commandeer-
ed by Uncle Sam. 1t is fairly we'll known here that
the Matson line has been charging rates a great
informed shipping man says that the Matson steam
ers have been operating rates far below 1.-The
ket." Even before the government took over these
big liners it forecast that rates would begin to
Jump as soon as Uncle Sam found out what it cost
to operate the steamers. Since then the forecast
has been repeated with an authenticity which has
its basis in estimates at Washington. \ big raise
in rates by The government is confidently expected
Uncle Sam, it is assumed will charge more than the
MatsOn corporation has been doing And. under
war conditions people are prepared to pay more.
There is going to he no quibbng over details when
war necessity and national loyalty are the real
isSues.
The interesting spectacle will be the attitude to
be assumed by the railway brotherhoods. now that
their demands must be directed at government in
stead of corporations
The pooling move is great step toward rational
efficiency for the roads to be operated by expert
enced railroad men. There will be little change in
actual details of traffic The government has at it's
beck and call the abest railroad operating heads
| and forces in the United States. Not man but
is ready to devote night and day to the national
work for the period of the war and of the
ment which must follow.