Evening journal., 1918-06-26

any particular electric railway com
pany nor in reference to any case pend
ing before the board. ] speak as chair.
man OF the war board OF the American
Electric Railway Association, represent.
ing the entire industry. The purpose OF
the War Labor Board, as Is evidenced
by its name and by the proclamation OF
the President OF the United States ere
sting IL, Is TO devise, for the period @,
the war, a method OF labor adjustment
1t Is created TO fulfill a war functin.
A very considerable number OF cases
affecting the wage scale OF important
electric railway systems throughout
the country are already listed fog de-
termination before the board, and more
will follow. In approaching th4 con-
siderati0n Of the problems lnvoFcd, II
Is OF the utmost consequence ihat the
board should be fully cognzaIt OF ex-
listing conditions affecting the electric
railway industry, as follows:
4. The electric railways OF the coun-
try are an indlsputable and essential
part Of the nations war machine. Their
ability, generally speaking not only TO
continue effective operation but TO
meet the increased demands put upon
them by the location and development
OF war industries, is a war essential and
has been clearly recognized rs such by
the administration, as appears from a
citation from the last report Of the
Comptroller Of the Currency and the
correspondence between the Secretary OF
the Treasury and the President Of the
United States relating 10 the matter.
The citation from the report OF the
Comptroller Of the Currency is as fol
lows:
National and State Banks, and many
thousands OF small and large investors,
have suffered seriously from the de-
cline Of the earning capacity Of public
utility corporations and the consequent
shrinkage in the value Of their secur-
tiles. representing investments OF many
hundred millions Of dollars. These loss
es naturally diminish the power and
disposition OF the public TO respond to
the calls Of the government for money
for war. This danger should arouse, /
venture TO suggest, the anxiety and
stimulate the efforts OF the Congress
and Of every patriotic citizen. A more
urgent and pressing peril is forced up
on our attention by the obvious fact
that we are dependent so largely on
the efficiency and strength OF these cor
pOratiOns and on our railroads Tor
speed and success in preparing for and
prosecuting the war.
THE corporations referred to supply
light, heat, power and electric railway
Transportation for passengers and
Tsk.rr Fntr.h fwffrnafa1rr tho
daily life OF the people. In normal times
they have been favorite targets Tor
sneers and savage criticisms from large
parts Of the public and the press. In
some instances, doubtless, they have
deserved and invited hostility. In
Others, the attacks upon the prob
ably have been unjust and unrea-
sonable. Frequently they have been
the victims or benenciaries OF local
politics, suffering injury in the end in
either case. Yet, generally, they were
able 10 serve the needs OF their commu-
mites with reasonable efficiency, and
20 earn fair returns on the money in
vested in them. Now they are threat
ened with ruin. II they are allowed to
sink into efficiency, much Of the most
important war work OF the government
will be crippled or paralyzed-
The work Of war has thrown upon
many Of these corporations strains
which they are unable to endure with
out prompt help. The costs OF their
labor and OF all material for operation,
betterment and upkeep have increased
heavily and suddenly. They are re-
ouired to increase radically and quickly
A.
manufacturing war munitions and ma
terlals demand Of the public utility cor
poratlons constantly greater supplies OF
power and light. At the industrial
centers, car lines are being rushed
end overburdened by new armies OF
workers. The gas companies are called
upon for gas for cooking and heating
I'm quantities beyond al normal cal
culations, and far beyond their pres
ent capacity. They are urged contin-
ually to furnish more coke and coal
by-products, toluol and other elements
absolutely essential in modern warfare.
Where cantonments have been estab-
lished. the demands on the resources
OF water, lighting and transportation
companies are especially severe; ability
10 comply with such demands is neces-
sary for the safety and comfort OF the
fighting men in training
"The continued and increasing chic
iency Of these corporations is important
for the successful conduct OF the war.
This efficiency is not possible with pres
ent conditions. Corporations proved Dy
their own figures to be approaching
bankruptcy cannot obtain money Tor
improvements or maintenance. on the
other hand, banks and citizens suffer-
ing severe losses from investments IN
the securities Of these entirely lcgiii-
mate and once-promising enterprises
will be discouraged from lending money
10 the government or deprived OF Inc
means TO lend.
"The first and most important reliei
10 the public utilities corporations can
be given by the State Public Utilities
Commissions and municipal and local
authorities, with the broadminded CO
operation Of the people generally, un-
derstandlng the necessities OF war ana
realizing that the more promptly its
burdens are accepted, the sooner they
will be lifted. II IS essential that for
bearance and consideration be exercised
by State Commissions and municipal
authorities, and that the corporations
also be permitted TO make such addi-