The Delta independent., 1918-12-27
RESTORE THE RAILROADS
TO PRIVATE OWNERSHIP

WASHINGTON. Dec. 23.-The Re
\ publican Publicity association,
through its president. Hon. Jonathan
Bourne. Jr., today gave out the fol-
lowing statement from its Washing
ton headquarters:
"Mr McAdoo's plea for a 5-year ex-
tension of the period OF government
operation OF the railroads. or as an
alternative, immediate restoration to
private operation, is construed by
many as presenting an issue upon
which congress must act at once.
There is no such necessity. The law
provides for return to private opera
tion within 81 months following the
signing Of a treaty of peace. There
is no occasion for either precipitate
action or extended government opera
ton. After careful deliberation con-
gress should take such action as
seems best for return Of the railroads
but under no circumstances should
there be an extension of the period of
government control.
''Mr McAdoo has himself provided
sufficient argument against exten-
sion.~ Extended control will mean in
creased government appropriations.
Judging by the innovations he has
already instituted, 1t will mean di-
minished service and increased rates.
It will mean continued use of the
railroads and their pay rolls as a
factor in politics. Let us get The rail-
roads out of politics. restore former
efficiency. and provide reasonable
system Of government regulation
which will help but not hamper de.
velopment
"It may be admitted that our sys-
tenn of government regulation was
imperfect. but it was by no means q
failure. If it had been failure. gov
ernment ownership or operation
would also be failures. for govern.
ment operators cannot have more
knowledge and ability than the com
bined knowledge and ability of pri-
vate owners and government reguia-
tors. Government operators would
lack the initiative and energy display
ed by private managers whose rewards
demanded solely upon success. I.
may also be admitted that cover.
its benefits, but these have been i'm
provements which could and should
have been attained under private op-
Grafton and would have been attained
If not prevented by hamper'rg regal
lations.
mo larcuege can be too severe in
condemnation of the wrongful acts Of
corporation managers who haze pill
|laged their stockholders or wr. cked
the institutions over which they had
control. Deeds Of such character
should be made criminal by law, II
not already SO defined, and prison
doors should swing open to receive
and cohfine the culprit who is un-
faithful to his trust
"But eradication Of evils Of this
kind does not require government
Ownership. There is no need to stif!e
individual enterprise. ambition and
energy in order to prevent repetition
of wrongful acts Advocates of gov
eminent ownership propose a remedy
worse than the disease. In the mis-
guided effort to cure evils in railroad
finance. they would fasten upon the
nation evils far more esrious, iar
more fnsidious. more deeply affecting
the welfare Of present and future ger,
erations. striking at the very vitals of
truly representative government.
"Once established public ownership
will continue until it's destruction has
been wrought. Once overthrown. in
dividual enterprise will not be res-
tored until public ownership has
brought its own ruin. Legislation can
easily destroy but 1t cannot build up.
The most 1t can do is to give oppor-
tunity and Incentive for individual ac-
tivity.
"Mr. McAdoo's advocacy of a five
year extension of government opera
tion means five years more Of scramb-
ling the railroads with resultant
necessitated government ownership
because Of absolute impossibility Of
restoring the property. In substance.
he is asking for government owner
ship. and It should be refused