Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1918-12-10
What to DO with the Railroads?

NJ Q more important domestic problem has
l been laid before Congress in recent years
than that which President Wilson submitted
when he left with that body, without recon-
mendation plan of his own, the question as
to what is to be done with the railroads of
the country now that the war emergency has
passed. Under the terms of the law which
authorized the administration to take them
over during the period of hostilities, they
must be returned to their owners, unless Con-
gress shall otherwise ordain, within stip-
ulated time after the signing of the treaty
Of peace.
Railways to nation are what arteries
are to the human body. Through them flow
the lite-blood Of commerce, and the pros
perlty OF the entire population is intimately
associated with their welfare Therefore, it
is or extreme Importance that whatever is
done regarding them should be most care
fully considered. There is Il natural dis
appointment that the administration, in init
mate contact for eighteen months with the
"hole problem of transportation, chould have
falled to present some definite suggestions
for the guidance of the legislative body The
president did no more than to present the
three obvious alternatives facing Congress:
10 permit the roads to go back to private
control under the same conditions that ex
listed before they were taken over; to retain
extent OF complete government ownership; or,
in returning them, set up revised and more
comprehensive system of government regula-
ton.
Whatever the decision to be reached, it is
comforting at least to know that during the
period of government operation Director
General McAdoo has seen to it that the prop
ertles were not allowed TO deterorate
through failure to replace wornout equipment
or 10 provide necessary extensions. With the
entire country vitality concerned with the
problem of industrial REIMBURSEMENT it would
be serious handicap should the railroa,
De unable TO meet the additional strain that
must be placed upon them
The association of railroad security own
ers-representing they do the entire
ownership of the propertes-are prepared to
wage a determined fight to insure the re-
turn Of the roads to private control At the
same time 1t is interesting TO note the read
mess with which they have conceded the
wisdom of retaining, under private control
some OF the advantages established during
government operation, as, for example, the
common use of terminals, etc. For equally
good reasons the travelling public will be de-
'rous OF retaining some of the convenences
devised by Mr.. McAdoo, such as the sale Of
interchangeable mileage tickets and the
Standardization of dining-car prices The
shipper, for his part, sees certain advantages
III the methods which the government has
followed in routing shipments Last of ALL
the railroad employees, accorded liberal
treatment by the government in the matter
OF wage adjustments, doubtless will insist on
measures which will insure their advantages
should the roads be turned back
whether the country is prepared for the
extreme measure of outright government
ownership is extremely doubtful. Certainly
there has been no such demonstration in be-
half of government ownership as 20 consti-
tute a widespread demand. On the other
hand, the vital part which the roads have had
to play in connection with the war, taken
with their failure to meet the crisis under
private operation undoubtedly has estab-
lished the right of the public to take very
llVely interest in the forthcoming delibera-
tlonS or Congress. 1t is portentous prob
lem, but certainly one which can be worked
out in way to satisfy the best interests OF
the country.