The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1917-06-03

BY VIII p. Blair.
Trustee Ohio Good Roads Federation.
Without a single exception, men
engaged in a business requiring ship
ments by freight from one point to
another during the past year have
bitterly complained of the tardiness
and oftimes utter inability Of the
railroads 10 care for their needs.
Thousands upon thousands of tons
are lust now awaiting the insistent
demand for cars in which to. load.
Thousands of cars are standing in
the outer yards awaiting their turn
for placement on some unloading
track. while others, patience and eN'
pensive delay no longer to be en-
dured. are unloaded miles out OF the
city and contents trucked TO destina-
tion.
What might have been, due to
far sighted plan OF railroad terminal
facilities for cities that doubled and
tripled their population in a decade
the ward plan. the trackage room, Tor
cities OF few thousand that now
have completely outgrown all precoE-
ceived proportions of growth is idle 10
discuss.
Mines have been made idle manu-
featuring plants have ceased opera
tions for days, grain, so badly neeu-
I'd. remains in farmers cribs ana all
business is disturbed. ReflectlnE
results are felt in lessened efficiency
on the one hand and higher prices
for all purchases needed for our aai-V
requirements on the other. OLf
whole industrial fabric is being
sapped of the vitality that we need
and upon which the great strength OF
the country rests, and upon whlch
we must depend for continued ability
TO endure the coming strain.
There may be unscientific manage
ment but railroad trouble is not ell
due TO inefficient use Of what they
already have. II is due mainly %
what they have not. II is condition
that can not be improved upon or
added TO within sufficient time 10
meet the exigencies that are pu'
upon US.
The United states government
seels the existence OF this industrill
condition by giving preferential
right OF way over railroads to com
modities for direct and immediate way
moods As the necessities for war ma
,eriaI become expanded the general NJ
s,,.,rtos ~ the country will be further
disturbed by the increased use OF pres
opt transportation facilities. This si''
uation will surely become intensitlel o'
the great Increase OF crops so Wiseiy
urged upon the country, when must
bo moved II they are 20 serve th'
nurpose Of feeding the thousands now
so apxiously hoping for a further lease
of life thereby.
! Z, il unite apparent that transpor'
tation is no longer a problem oi mere
convenience. nor is It one OF merely
commercial advantage
II is now question OF breao anu
meat and more. -,.
Upon Il rests the hope oi an ear"
conclusion Of the war
n is "a question Of vital and im.
mediate concern FOR the salvation OF
the country. the guarantee OF j"
ultimate endurance.
I'm what manner and how shaH 'h'
relief Gomez Il.
Shall IL be either a matter oil ae
lhate or procrustinauon or shall IL
come at ail2 ,.,,,..,
II we have been unable to deliver
n short crop how shall we deliver
long one?
A press association during the pah'
winter sent out A dispatch from 90
lumbus. Indiana. .ssevidently ntenoe'
10 appease the appetite Of the reader
., ,bs comedy Of the circumstance
but which bore q lesson 80 plalh ah'
IMPRESSIVE that the tragedy OF pros
ort events ought 20 stir 20 action
s,ys tbe dispatch. providence h''
49,, Kind 10 the southern midland
farmers this winter In that once u
l, lifetime the roads are frozen IN ,
smooth condition, and taxing a'
vantage OF such roads hogs are SCI.
An market seventyfive miles away u
an auto truck. The hogs 80 EMO!
heir ride 10 death that they 80 {
sleep on the way
We are not 80 helpless that W.
may expect TO survive by mere!
nuttlng the mama IN our mouths
Moro Is expected Of as these days.
when Providence is kind enoug'
10 polnt out 80 particularly and OK
ao,ly the way. why need we be eithe
dense or stubborn-much less careles
and Indifferent 49,.
Rome fed a million people witt
slow moving OK carts over her roads
We have no OK carts, but we haN'
fast moving trucks We have no Romai
road. IN fact we have no roads. bu