Bisbee daily review., 1918-01-05

wuuld have been a much greater. II
assumed the less responsibility rather
than the weightier. l an sure that l
am speaking the mind Of all thought
ful Americans when I say that il is
our duty as the Representatives OF the.
nation to do everything that il Is ne
ceSsary to do 20 secure their complete
mobilization Of the whole resources Of
America BY as rapid and effective a
means as can be found TranspOrta-
ton supplies all the arteries OF mobil-
izatiOn. Unless il be under single
and unified direction. the whole pro
cess OF the nations action is embar-
assed.
Voluntary Action Failed.
II was in the true spirit of America
and il was right that we should first
try TO effect the necessary unificaUOn
under the voluntary action Of those
VITO were in charge OF the great rail-
Nay properties and we did try IL The
directors OF the railroad responded TO
TIE need promptly and generously.
The group OF railway executives who
we're charged with the task OF actual
coordination and general direction
performed their task with patriotic
real and marked ability as was TO have
been expected and did, believe, ev-
erything that il was possible Tor them
to do in the circumstances II have
taken the task out of their hands. il
has not been because q any derelic-
ton or failure on their part but only
/ because there were some things which
the government can do and present
MANAGEMENT cannot. We shah con
tinue 10 value most highly the advice
and assistance Of these gentlemen and
II an sure We shall not find them
Withholding il
II had become Enthusiastically plain
that only under government admin
4 intration can the entire equipment OF
the several systems of transportation
be fully and unreServedly thrown in
To common service without injurious
I discrimination against particular prop
critics. Only under government adj
! ministration can an absolute uare-
/ stricted and unembarraSSed- common
use be made OF all tracks, terminals.
! terminal facilities and equipment OF
every kind. Only under that authority
can new terminals be constructed and
developed without regard 20 the re-
! quirements or limitations Of particular
1 roads. Bui under government admin
I. istration all these things viii be pos
! sible-not instantly. but as fast as
! practical difficulties. which cannot be
merely conjured away. give way be-
I fore the new management
Serving. Public Interest.
! The common administration viii be
/ carried out with as little disturbance
of the present operating organizations
1 and personnel of the railways as pos
sible. Nothing viii be altered or dis
tureed which ii is not necessary TO
| disturb. We are serving the public
| interest and safeguarding the public
safety but we are also regaTdtUl OF
| The interest Of those BY whom these
! great properties ara owned and glad
to avail ourselves Of the experience
and trained ability OF those who have
been managing them. Il is necessary
that the transportation OF troops snd
OF war material. CT food and of fuel.
and OF everything that is necessary for
4 TIE Iull MOBILIZATION OF the cttCA -AcS
and resources OF the country. should
| be first considered. but il is clearly in
the public interest also that the or
binary activities and the normal in
dividual and commercial life of the
country should be interfered with and
dislocated as little as possible and the
public NAV rest assured that the sn-
terest and convenience Of the private
slipper viii be as carefully served and
safegusrded rs il is possible 10 serve
and safeguard ii in the present ex-
traOrdinary circumstances.
Guarantees Urged.
While the present authority OF the
executive suffioes for oil purposes OF
administration and while OF course.
~ -r'vate interests must for the pre-
sent give way TO the public necessity,
ii is. l am sure you viii asree with
ne. right and necessary that the own
ers and creditors of the railways. the
D.! holders of their stocks and bonds.
O should receive from the government
sn UNQUALIFIED guarantee that their
properties viii be maintained through
cut the period of fede-ai control in rs
~ood rerair and as complete equip
ment as at present, sr6 that the sew
eral roads will receive under federal
management such COMPENSATION as is