Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1917-12-28
FEDERAL UNIFicATIoN OF RAILS.


Government control of all the steam
power railroads in the United States
as war measure may have been nee
essary or not. Ii was probably not so
much an actual necessity as it was an
advantage to the government in an
emergency. But as to this even. there
is fear that the presidents Unsuitable
appetite for power may have rushed
him into a project Of economic revolu-
ton before the emergency actually de-
manded it. However, it has been done
and the railroads of this country VIII
never return to their former inds pand-
ence even when the war has end d.
If government control can stop short
OF actual ownership and operation by
politicians and provide for unitication
serve banks have done for the banking
business without destroying the indie
pepdence and the private initiative Of
private ownership, then the change will
have bred progress
We have long ago passed the public
policy Of fixing common carrier rates
for transportation charges and work
ing conditions for the men employed.
We have recently been face to face
with the immediate necessity for fix
ing the wages the organized employees
could charge the railroads and also the
valuation upon which the owners could
claim profits from the rates charged.
The advent Of war not only found these
two important problems unsolved but
added a war demand for instant ex-
pansion in service and at the same
moment closed all avenues OF financial
aid TO the railroads by conscripting all
the loanable funds OF the country for
Liberty bonds.
The government found itself under
the same immediate necessity for loan
ing money 20 the railroads that 1t has
been In some cases for advancing
money to manufacturers Of munitions
The appointment of the secretary Oh
the treasury as rail dictator without
removing him from the treasury would
indicate cha, the governments control
was intended 10 he dollar control emu
dollar aid. The question as to earnings
is fixed Coz the period Of the war at
the average for the past three years
and II Will follow that the government
VIII fix wages for the period of the
war. THESE things are settled for the
time being.
On, Of II may come government own
ership, but let Us hope not. Out OF II
will certainly come valuation OF all
railroad property. That is as neces-
sary IN fixing rates and wages as in
buying che railroads. There will never
Dc REIMBURSEMENT Of the right Of the
government 20 FIX wages and TO pre-
vent strkes in common carrier service.
With tae government IN control OF
rates. wages and traffic regulations 1t
Is economically as logical and as wise
ror the government 70 aid in financing
the puo.lc's transportation 0. commod-
ties az s. is 70 aid IN financing the
banking transportation 0: business. The
yove-rments guarantee vii command
,s.!-oaad capital al a cost Of 4 per cent
When the railroads wouId have 70 pay
8 or per cent
LIZ LIZ hope that private profit in
efficiency my be ore.s-get for ;,'diTid-
uzI effort IA the ra.lroad bua!nesg al
* vas 81 the i3anking 51ls1nsss while
,ae zovs-anisat provides only tae uni
acztkyn, regulation and aad 70 the en-
.erp-.se thai & hzx proTidsd IN its fed
s.a1Ls