The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1918-01-12

the existing circumstances, would
have been much greater. assumed
the less responsibility rather than the
weightier. I am sure that I am speak
ing the mind Of all thoughtful Ameri-
cans when say that it is our duty az
the representatives Of the nation to do
everything that 1t is necessary to do
of the whole resources Of America by
as rapid and effective a means as can
be found. Transportation supplies all
the arteries of mobilization. Unless
1t be under single and unified d.
rection, the whole process of the ma
tons action Is embarrassed.
Praises Executives.
''It was in the true spirit of Ameri-
ca and 1t was right, that we should
first try to effect the necessary unfit
cation under the voluntary action OF
those who were in charge of the great
railway properties; and we did try it.
The directors of the railways respond
ed to the need promptly and generous
ly. The group Of railway executives
who were charged with the task OF
actual coordination and general ''rec-
ton performed their difficult duties
with patriotic zeal and marked abil-.
fly, as was to have been expected, and
did, | believe, everything that it was
possible for them to do In the circum-
stances. If have taken the task out
Of their hands, it has not been because
Of any dereliction or failure on their
part, but, only because there were
some things which the government
can do and the present management
can not. We shall continue to value
most highly the advice of these Off
Gals and am sure we shall not find
them Withholding 1t. It had become
Enthusiastically plain that only under
government administration can the en-
tire equipment Of the several systems
Of transportation be fully and unre-
servedly thrown into a common SER
vice without injurious discrimination
against particular properties. Clly
under government administration can
an absolute and uIiembarrassed COM
mon use be made Of all tracks, termi
nails, terminal facilities and equipment
of every kind. Only under that author
Ity can new terminals be constructed
END developed without regard to sass'
requirements or limitations of particu-
lar roads. But under government ad
ministration all these things will be
possible-not instantly, but as fast as
practical difficulties. which can not
be merely conjured away, give way
before the new management.
No Unnecessary Changes.
The common administration will be
carried out with as little disturbance
of the present operating organizations
end personnel of the railways as posi-
BILE. Nothing will be altered or dis
turbed which it is not necessary to
disturb. We are serving the public
interest and safeguarding the public
safety, but we are also regardful Of the
interest Of those by whom these great
properties are owned and glad to avail
ourselves Of the experience and train
ed ability of those who have been
managing them. 1t is necessary that
the transportation OF troops and ma
tertais, of food and of fuel and OF
everything that Is necessary for the
full mobilization Of the energies and
resources OF the country, should be
first considered, but 1t Is clearly In
the public interest also that the ordi-
nary activities and the normal indus
trial and commercial life Of the coun-
try should be interfered with and dis.
located az little as possible and the
public may rest assured that the in
terest and convenience of the private
shipper will be as carefully served
and safeguardcd as it is possible to
serve and safeguard it in the present
extraordinary circumstances.
Compensation For Owners.
while the present authority of the
executive sufficed for oil purposes OF
administration, and while, of course,
ell private interests must for the pres
ent give way to the particular neces-
sity, 1t Ks, am sure you will agree
with me. right and necessary thai the
owners and creditors OF the railways,
the holders of their stocks and bonds
should receive from the government
an unqualified guarantee that their
properties will be maintained through
out the period of federal control in as
good repair and as complete equip
mert as at present, and that the sew
eral roads will receive under federal
management such compensation as Is
reliable and Just, alike to their owners
and to the general public. l would
suggest the average net railway ope-
rating income Of the three years end
ing June 30, 1917. / earnestly recon-
mend that these guarantees be given
by appropriate legislation, and given
as promptly as circumstances permit
II need not point out the essential
Justice of such guarantees and their