The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1918-12-20
TIME TO ACT.

It now seems probable that unless
time of government operation of rail-
roads to five years, as suggested by
Director General McAdoo, or shall
provide for permanent ownership or
control. the roads will be returned to
t. cir owners at no distant date. 1t is
held by the railroad administration
that a continuation Of the existing ar
| rangement for twenty-one months,
with the certainty that the roads will
then be turned back. will be inimical
to the best interests of the govern
ment. the roads and the public. 1t
is believed that the morale of the
working force is certain to suffer as
the result Of uncertainty regarding the
future. Besides, no important better
ments or extensions can be under
taken, either by the roads. or the adj
ministration. while they are handi-
capped by so short time limit. Hence
tions between the government and the
railroads becomes a serious menace to
the progress and prosperity Of the en-
tire country.
WalkAr D. Hines, assistant director
of railroads, addressing the railroad
committee of the United States
Chamber of Commerce. recently said:
II think 1t is fair to say that a.
great deal of the business thought of
the. country is turning towards the
idea that the railroads ought to be
turned back promptly to private
management by the railroad COM
panies with remedial legislation to re-
move the difficulties under which the
business world appreciates the rail-
roads Iabered under the private con-
troll that existed up to December %.
1917. This plan of a prompt turning
back with remedial legislation has
been suggested by the railroad ex-
ecutives and believe, in a resolution
adopted by a meeting of the United
States Chamber of Commerce at At
lantio City and has been suggested in
various other quarters representing
the sound business thought of the
country. and it is a most natural sug-
gestion, and it is the remedy to which
the business people Of the country
would be inclined to turn
He then pointed out the improbable
ity that satisfactory remedial 1egisla-
ton can be obtained in SO short a time.
The public, knowing congress as it
does. probably will agree with him.
| What is more important to the coun-
try than anything else, at this time, is
the removal of uncertainty regarding
| the future of the transportation bust
ness.
In his letter to the chairman of the
senate and house committees on inter-
state commerce, Director General Nc
Adoo said:
1t is clear to me that the railroads
cannot be successfully operated under
| federal control during the next two
years in the face of an automatic
| transfer to private control at the end
| of that time or of an earlier re-
| linquishment by proclamation Of the
president. Every month that passes
| will bring more clearly to the minds
| of the officers and employees the fund
amental change in management that
! is impending. and the question as to
what that change means to the indi-
| vidual. 1t is against human nature
that there can be complete and single
minded attention to duty under such
difficult circumstances This will be
| especially true on account Of the in
evitable discussion as to what ought
| to be done. Already this discussion
| is in full swing and its reaction on Of
| ficers and employees cannot be con-
sistent with the complete concentra-
ton upon their daily duties. State
| railroad commissions, railroad secur-
ity holders, railroad executives. ship
| pers' organizations and other interests
| are naturally and properly discussing
| the subject and proposing various So
| lutions. However desirable the dis
cussion Is for the capitalization of
public sentiment, it cannot result
otherwise than to produce a state of
uncertainty and ferment among the
vast army of railroad officers and en-
\ ployes who will inevitably feel that
| they face a rapidly approaching
| change in management.
No business in the United States
| so imperatively requires disciplined
organization and composed conditions
| of operation, for officials as we'll as
for employees, as the railroad business
Not only does the safety of the lives
| of millions of passengers depend upon
such disciplined and efficient organi-
ration. but the commerce of the
country as well. To keep this vast
army of officers and employees in a
state of uncertainty and ferment for
full in the highest degree to the public
interest. 1t would be impossible to
prevent serious impairment of the
morale of the railroad organizations.
-.--=
A proposal to sink the captured Ger
man warships has been advanced