The Liberal democrat. [volume] (Liberal, Kan.) 1911-1924, 1918-01-10
THE RAILROADS UNDER
GOVERNMENT OPERATION
Topeka Capital Endorses Plan and
Commends Choice for Director.

Topeka Capital Endorses Plan and
Commends Choice for Director.
Commenting editorially on the TAX
ing over of the railroads by the gov
ernment, the Topeka Capital says:
President Wilson's proclamation
taking over railroad operation is
relief to the country, and should be
to the much distressed railroad stock
holders, whose outcries had become
trifle wearisome. There is nothing
hostile to them in the war policy an
nounced, but on the contrary the
president has chosen what is among
several plans discussed as to earnings
the most liberal of all, the guaranty
Of dividends equal not to the three
years prior to the war but the three
years ending last June. This assures
railroad stockholders returns during
the remainder of the war in excess Of
the average for any former period of
years whatever, and is evidence of
the presidents desire to encourage
the business community and capital.
1t will be satisfactory to the country
also, since in trying times and when
production and maximum efficiency
are imperatively demanded it is best
to err on the side of liberality in
dealing with as vital a matter as
transportation.
By the arrangement which goes
into operation today railroads will be
under orders from the administration
through Secretary of the Treasury
McAdoo. Several persons have been
discussed in connection with this i'm
portant post, among them Mr.. Nc
Adoo, Comptroller Williams, Chief
Justice White and Justice Brandeis.
Of them all Secretary McAdoo is
probably the most satisfactory to all
interests concerned. By virtue of his
office he is in close touch with busi-
ness and finance, he is himself busi-
ness man rather than lawyer, and
while not regarded by Wall street
with favor is not so Objectionable to
large financial interests as either
Judge Brandeis or Comptroller Will
liams. The presidents choice among
the men named is probably the best
choice.
Under government operation rail-
roads can be run with maximum out
put, and this would be impossible un-
der private conduct, without the re-
peal of provisions of the Sherman
and Interstate Commerce laws. I'm
der government operation if the San
ia Fe originates business in Kansas
town or farm station for Chicago, ex-
pecting to profit by the entire haul,
this business can be shifted at Kansas
City to any railroad to, Chicago that
is open, with no fuss or delay. Open
lines can be used, whether these lines
have been able to obtain business or
not. Empty cars can be loaded wher-
ever they are found and shipped no
matter under what immediate control
they happen to be. All the lines and
all the equipment can be employed to
maximum capacity to clear war bus
mess.
There is feature of government
operation that, so far as we know,
has not been considered but which
under present circumstances may be
of Importance. This is the relation of
the new operation to employment.
For many years railroads, with
abundant labor to Gull from, have
pursued a policy of discouraging
young women from railroad work
and men beyond certain arbitrary
age limits. Many other lines of busi-
mes shave taken in and trained wom-
en- workers. Now railroad offices have
been draining off these workers,
trained by others, in their great need
for employees. 1t has been the rule
many railroads that no man SHALL be
taken on who has passed the age Of
35, and no man losing his job after
As may be re-employed. Men of 10
and of 65 have been discharged for
age, regardless Of competency, as a
policy. There are hundreds and thou
sands of these men, between 45 and
70, who have had railroad experience
and whose services the government
can now avail itself Of in operating
the railroads, thereby releasing
younger men for other work, or for
the more active physical work Of op-
Grafton. If the government will invite
enlistment in railroad service Of men
with railroad experience it will un-
doubtedly profit during the remain
der of the war by the services Of
many competent persons now out of
work or employed in less necessary
business.