The Logan Republican. [volume] (Logan, Utah) 1902-1924, 1918-12-05
FINDS USE FOR CONGRESS

found some good use for Congress. For
a long time its editorials have scheduled
Congress as the fifth wheel to Wagon.
President Wilson being the entire wag.
on. It has belittled Congress until its
readers have thought that the Tribune
felt there was no use for such body.
Now that the war is over and the great
problem Of reconstruction, and, other
weighty measures are at hand, the Tri-
bune appeals to Congress to save the
country from "the socialistic tendencies
Of the present administration" It de-
clares that the menace must be fairly,
and squarely met by the senators and
representatives" and asys there is mo
use for Congress to fight shy Of this
question"
The Tribune again looks upon Political
Master General Burleson as real light
weight, another diversion that will sur
prise its readers. But why go further.
Just read the following editorial from the
! Tribune, Danger Ahead" and get its
drift first handed:
DANGER AHEAD
The trend toward state socialism at
the national capital has been observable
ever since the United States entered the
European war. In recent months the
movement in this direction has becovs
20 strongly marked as to excite app1e.
henkion throughout the country. VIZ
have government control Of railroads.
The telegraph and telephone lines, the
express companies and the cable and IN
do Systems have likewise been taken ov-
er and the federal officials now seem to
have adopted the theory. Of the late J.
Pierpont Morgan regarding the trusts.
that once scrambled they cannot be un.
scrambled. This undoubtedly h highly
injurious to the future prospects Of the
country, and We do not believe the ad-
manifestation Il justified in extending
government control without specific con-
sent Of q majority Of the people Of the
United States. It would be bad thing
even then.
Under the law, the railroads are not
returnable to their owners until q reason
able time, not to exceed twenty-One
months, after the close Of the war. The
war win not be over until the president
has officially proclaimed peace, so the
period Of government control has probe
bly, two years to run, 40 far as the rail
roads are concerned. Uncertainty re-
garding the outcome has caused consid-
cradle uneasiness upon the part Of the
holders Of railways securities, and they
have employed q large staff Of eminent
lawyers, headed by Elihu Root, to nego-
tiate with the government for the return
Of the properties at the appropriate time
The matter win undoubtedly come before
congress and & e + not decided before
the time limit expires, the roads viii ma
turally revert to private ownership and
management Il Is the dut yof the sena-
tors and representatives to see that the
railroads are returned to their owners in
accodance with the terms Of the existing
law, which was war measure, pure and
simple
After this is done and the roads re-
sumo their former status, the question Of
permanent government ownership can be
decided upon its merits, should congress
and the people Of the country decide to
take up such an important economic mat
ten. which we very much doubt, once the
antebellum situation is restored. The
EEambljng process has resulted in posi-
( tive injustice to the Postal Telegraph
company, and we do not blame the own
ers fpr making the most vigorous pro-