Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1918-06-04
RAILROADS AND THE GOVERNMENT

The fact that the government has found it necexsary
to assume control of the railroads during the war is not
an indication that government ownership or operation
or both-of the railroads in time Of peace would be wise
or beneficial But the assumption of control by the gov
eminent during this period Of stress has directed general
attention to tho relations between the roads and the gov
eminent. and has given a fresh stimulus to the study OF
railroad problems. Among these problems that Of gov
eminent ownership and operation are naturally highly
important.
Further, while it is true that under the abnormal
conditions forced by the war government operation may
and doubtless will be much more satisfactory than. pri-
vate operation could possibly be under the same condi-
lions it does not follow that comparisons made under nor
NAL conditions would result similarly. Our experience
during the war cannot be taken as conclusive as to what
to expect in peace. Yet in this phase Of the subject, too,
there is certain to be a checking up on the basis Of the
results during the war. What the government Is able to
do during the war will DE used as an indication. If not a
measure. of what it may be expected to do after the war
is over.
The fact is that from now until the end of the war
the whole railroad situation will be under close obser-
walton for the purpose Of determining whether the public
interest will best be served by restoring the railroads to
private control OF BY continuing and expanding the. sys-
tenn of government control until the railroad business is
as thoroughly nationa1ised as Is the postal business.
One argument that has done duty against the &c.
QUESTION Of the railroad properties has been completely
exploded. That is the argument Of cost. At has frequent
" been said that it would be impossible for the govern
nent to acquire the railroads because 1t could not nav for
them. The capacity Of the government to nav for thinxs
is being pretty wei demonstrated just now. The govern
ment will pay out twenty billion dollars this year, for
instance. Part Of that will be borrowed money, Of course.
but eight billions viii be money paid directly by the >peo-
pie In the form Of taxes IA fact is that tho nahonecan
buy apd pay forsanxthlnE sgthat it needs in its bustnesx
The financing Of railroad purchases could. be financed BY
the simple %expedient OF issuing government bonds in ez-
lchange for railroad stock. That 10 q much more .d,nple
matter than is the efficient handling Of the roads after
they have been acquired.
Tho whole situation Is under observation. The inter
ests Of the nation will govern. But, IL It IL, finally deter
mined that the policy Of public ownership shall be ap-
piled to.ths railroads. bitter disappointment will be the
shars q . lot Of professional asttators whose idea Of pub.
lie ownership Il and aliway. has been that Of confiscation.
Tbs railroads are private property, owned by many thou.
sands of Individuals. This rights Of those Individuals have
ibsen fseosnissd b the government In It, Ss~uarautae Of
Iearninss during the period o. government control IL ii
u decided that public ownsrship u "a ID tis final solu-
1tsenL M - vslue Of ths property van - .paid g the
iprassnt ewnsssx The lAaasrtean sovernrasnt il not il thu
l-bpetsaa a taking sMsy IN property 10 tnAtvs1uals VIII.
~ enpensasapGsth sm for Il
- e1ssF il.
sasss ztaes,ssfs IN sseso.srs q - ii.