Republican farmer. [volume] (Bridgeport, Conn.) 1810-1920, 1918-03-15
M'ADOO is GOING
TO DIRECT LARGE


ministration is preparing to put the
express companies of the United
States under government control
within the next ten days or two
weeks. Director General McAdoo
would administer them with the rail-
roads. The concerns to be taken
over are the Adams, American, Wells
Fargo, Southern, Great Northern
Northern, Canadian and Western.
Last year was hard on some of the
companies and the service was not
of high quality. 1t is believed by
friends of the Administration that to
take control is a natural and logical
step at this time. They think such
action will result in quicker, better,
and cheaper service.
There is a strong sentiment in both
Houses of Congress for government.
control of the express service. and
if the President acts he is likely to
have the cooperation of the Senate
and House.
1t is not believed that the express
companies will oppose the PROPOSE
ton. Their officers have conferred
with officials of the Railroad Admin
istration with a view to starting a
movement to have the government
take over their properties and operate
them during the war.
There is pending before the Inter
state Commerce Commission a propo-
sition for an increase of 10 per cent.
in express rates.
The determination of the Admins
tration to assume control came after
thousands of complaints of poor ser
vice had been made to Director Gen
eral McAdoo.
1t is believed by government Off
Gals that control of this service will
save millions of dollars worth of per-
ishable foodstuffs to American pro-
ducers and shippers. 1t is pointed
out that it is important that action
be taken in this matter Immediately
SO as to assist the movement of spring
food crops from the South and Gulf
Coast States.
There is a feeling in Congress that
President Wilson is in favor of gov
eminent ownership of railroads, eX-
press companies and other private
agencies that serve the public 1t is
predicted privately by leading Con-
gressmen that in a short while Mr.
Wilson will so a step further and
recommend government ownership
| Several years ago, when the Parcel
Post Law was enacted, there was a
strong sentiment in Congress- for TAX
ing over the express companies AMI
making one great system for pack
ages. The parcel post has reduced
the earnings of the express companies
to a considerable extent.
Representative Cary of Wisconsin,
| 10 Ia+
ment would take over the express
companies and all the other public
utilities of the country. This course,
he said, should be taken in the inter
est of the people and should be
adopted not only as a. war measure,
but as a fixed policy of the govern
ment. Mr.. Cary has introduced
bills to create the Department OF
Transportation, to take charge of all
transportation of the United States.
1--WE might as well recognize it
now he said. THE country will
have to come to it sooner or later.
Government ownership and operation
of these utilities is favored by the
people.
why shouldn't the express com.
panies be taken over? The govern
ment is really doing an express bust
7 ess today in the parcel post system.
1t is the thing for this country to
in order to meet the wishes of the
people and to protece them.
THE government should hav
charge of everything that enters into
! interstate commerce, including the
telegraph and telephone systems.
hope the report that the President
will act in this matter is true
According to reports to the Inter
state Commerce Commission by eight
express companies for the 10 months
ended with October, 1917 their total
operating revenues were S94,869150.
. the operating expenses were $91,
C23 and the net operating revenues
amounted to $3,197,127. The unco1-
lectible revenue from transportation
totaled $54,71S, the express take:
" ere S1,S16,21O and the operating in
come was $1,326,199.
II While the total operating revenues
| for the express companies for the 10
5 months ended with October, 1916,
, were but $S0,9SS,377 their operating
income amounted to S7,793,724 or
over six times as great as that for the
same period of 1917.
During the month of October, 1917,
( the express companies covered g total
l of 307, 9S1.5s miles in handling their
business.