River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1918-01-10
Washington Letter
BY Congressman Frear

A commercial step or vast import
ance to the country was discussed
by President Wilson in his message
to Congress last Friday when
he announced that the govern
ment had taken charge of all trans
portation lines, and requested that
the roads be guaranteed reasonable
profits, to which they are entitled.
On December Is, 1917, the Presi.
dent celebrated his 6lst birthday by
taking over on behalf of the govern
ment all the railways of the United
States with capitalization in stocks
and bonds of about twelve billion
dollars. employing a million and one
half men on 100000 miles of road.
This action occurred, as predicted in
these letters several weeks ago, at
(which time it was stated that the
roads were having hard shedding,
due to many causes, including gov
eminent priority orders with move
ment of troops and supplies.
threatened labor troubles and
Hack of any comprehensive
plan for handling general business.
Railway arrangements, railway en-
| ployees and the public generally will
accept the change with a feeling of
relief.
/ A Director General will hereafter
be the ranking railroad man and ev-
cry employee from a hundred rail-
way presidents down to PA, 900 sec
ton men will hereafter be subject to
4 Mr.. McAdoo's orders. Under pres
ent plans the companies will con-
tinue their officers and employees
4 but the government will try its hand
at railroading in order to overcome
4 present financial and commercial
} difficulties of the lines. The ar
} rangement will last throughout the
} war and the status of the railways
after the war will depend largely
upon the governments success or
: failure with the job. No one ques-
lions it's magnitude. although Eng
9land successfully took over all the
English, Scotch and WEIGH lines in
August, 1914, when she declared
war. Predictions are premature
that this is direct step toward gov
eminent ownership as the present
/ arrangement is only a transfer of
: management and policies, with
: Uncle Sam standing back Of the
proposition.
/: Wisconsin is we'll represented on
] the House Committee of Interstate
! and Foreign Commerce that deals
!. with railways, and from indications
this will be committee of larger
!: powers than ever before. Congress
man Esch with 20 years service is
ranking republican, and in case of g
Republican House, which may be
brought about by change of less
) than a dozen votes out of 430, he
will be in line for the craftsmanship
From his long experience and abili.
ty he commands the confidence OF
members generally, and would make
strong chairman. A shift in House
control would also advance other
Wisconsin members including Len.
: root, who won his spurs as Speaker
of the Assembly, and now after ter
] years experience in Congress, com
a mands attention on whatever he dis.
e cusses. Last week his able criticism
Y on the floor of Leader Kitchin was
5 accepted with evident discomfort
and chagrin by the Democratic
leader. Speakership and leadership
! honors are connected with Lenroot's
name, but his place in the House is
assured, because of hard work and
good Legislative judgment.
All committees are now hard al
work and while the average special.
or from the gallery wonders where
members are spending their time,
2 and why they are not on the floor
during ordinary sessions, those ia,
miliar with legislation we'll know
that the most important work ir
formulating laws is not seen on the
floor of either House but back in
committee rooms where careful con
sideration is had, difference recon.
ciled and agreements reached.
Washington is not quite as cold as
Wisconsin, according to tempera
ture readings. but the people here
are NOT nreDared with clothing OF