The Washington times., 1918-12-12

&c. the course that should now be
pursued. The war Is ended and we
are nyw confronted with the neces-
sity Of either legislating INTEL, l,sent-
Iy about the railroad problem at
this session of the Congress, or of
promptly returning the railroads to
tkeir owners.
Less than three months of the
present session Of the Congress re-
main. 1t will be impossible, / pre-
sumo, to secure legislation in this
short period providing a permanent
solution of the railroad problem.
This being true, only three courses
are open: ~ Government operation
OF the railroads for one year and
nine months following a proclama-
tion of peace, which would mean. In
my judgment, Government opera
ton for a period in no event longer
than two years and three months;
C2l The prompt return OF the rail-
roads to private control; or (3) eN-
tension OF the period OF Federal con-
troll to five years.
Present Law Inadequate.
81 am convinced that it is wholly
impracticable. as well as opposed to
the public interest, to attempt to
operate the railroads under the pro-
visions of the present law. In the
frst place. the time is too short,
and, secondly. the present legisIa-
tion is inadequate.
"As to the shortness of time, It is
clear to me that the railroads cannot
be successfully operated under Fed
eral control during the next two
years in the face OF an automatic
transfer 70 private control at the end
of that time or of an earlier relin-
quishment by proclamation OF the
President. Every month that passes
will bring more clearly to the minds
of the officers and employees the fun
damental change in management that
is impending. and the question IS to
what that change means to the in
dividual. 1t is against human nature
that there. can be complete and single
minded attention to duty under such
difficult circumstances.
From the standpoint OF needed
improvements. the period of two
years is entirely too short a tim.
within which to plan and carry ous
the comprehensive improvements
which ought to be made to meet the
requirements under peace
Authority In Doubt.
Because OF the inadequacy of the
present legislation, the authority OF
the States and the Federal Govern
ment has been left in doubt by pro-
visions which opposed when the bill
was under discussion
Upon the efficiency of the trans
machine In America de-
pends in great measure the future !
prosperity of the nation. Involved In |
this prosperity is the extension of |
bur foreign. trade. Our transportation |
system, both on land and water, must |
junction at the highest point of ef- |
iciency and at the lowest possible |
cost, IL we are to get our reasonable
Ind fair share OF the worlds trade |
Ind in turn be able to keep a pros
'erous' contented and happy popula-
ion at home.
ITO attempt to continue Federal
control under the inadequate provi-
ions OF the present Federal control
Ict, and for the very brief period II
would be to multiply our
and invite failure. On the
'ther hand, ] am convinced from the
experience Of the past year that the
eturn OF the railroads to the old
conditions will be hurtfuI
like to the public interest and to the
ailroads themselves. This course,
owever, will bring fewer evils in its
rain than the unsatisfactory. IL not
mpotent, Federal control provided
or by the present act.
Extension Only Wise Course.
There is one. and to my mind only
ne. practicable and wise alternative.
nd that is to extend the period of
federal control from The one year and
ine months provided by the present
aw to i've years, or until the first
ay OF January. 1924.
This extension would take the rail-
Dad question out OF politics for a
period. 1t would give COM
csure TO railroad officers and EN-
loyes,. 1t would admit OF the prepara-
hMIICEMEMTS