New Britain herald. [microfilm reel] (New Britain, Conn.) 1890-1976, 1918-12-09
Henry Cleu's
Weekly Letter
Special to Herald.

Special to Herald.
New York, Dec. 9. - Whatever
opinion may be held concerning the
advisability of President Wilson's
personal attendance at the peace con-
ference, during a critical period here,
he has gone with the nations sin
cerest wishes for a safe and successful
mission. AS chief ruler of this great
republic, Mr.. Wilson will receive many
honors and a hearty welcome among
all the Allies. 1t is quite probable
that the demonstrations and honors
accorded him will be extraordinary;
for the fact that Mr.. Wilson has made
himself iman ensely popular abroad
will intensity the desire of the Allies
to express their appreciation of
Americas help in acts as well as in
words.
President Wilson's message to Con-
gress contained nothing striking, ex-
cept his views upon the railroads,
which ais they become better under
fair minded men. His prime object
is evidently to treat both public and
owners fairly. He states it is i'm
possible for the roads to go back to
the old system of unrestrained com
petition and multiform regulation by
both State and Federal authorities.
He intimates as an alternative the
establishing Of complete government
1,ry
government ownership; or else modi-
fed private control, unified more close
ly upon regional basis Finally he
intimates his unwillingness to take
a, positive position on the problem;
prefering to leave the entire subject
to congress-: and he also states that
he would rather not wait for action
until the expiration of the statutory
period, Fl months after peace was
declared. The ground for this attitude
is that he considers such a course
would prolong injurious uncertainty.
/ Another favorable development was
the conciliatory attitude of leading
f. meeting of the Railway Executive
80 per cent. of the coun-
try's railroad mileage, met
slider the return of the railroads to q
peace basis. An admira BILE spirit was
manifested and a series of resolutions
adopted favoring the preservation Of
private initiative and responsib ility;
opposition to government ownership;
adoption Of reasonable and adequate
governmental regulation, and a rec
ommendation that the remaining per-
iod of Federal control be devoted to
maintaining the integrity of individu
al properties and preparing for their
return to their owners. Events are
therefore running more favorably for
the railroads, after about twenty
years of hostile legislation and un-
friendly public opinion. Their future
is by no means assured, and a strenu-
Gus discussion in Congress is in pros
pect between believers in public own
ership, believers in private owner
ship and believers in adequate FEEDER
al regulation. One of these three
courses will inevitably be taken. The
defects and hazards of public owner
ship are SO self apparent that there
is some reason for hoping in its de-
feat. In any case If the spirit Of fair
dealing prevails, as apparently it will,
there is little reason for security
holders 1ndulglng the rear Oh LllelL
property being taken from them with
out just compensation. One thing is
certain, capital cannot be had for I'M
proving and equipping the railroads
unless it receives decent treatment,
and is allowed to earn fair rewards.
Dem utilization Of industry is the
most absorbing question of the day In
business circles. Unavoidably there is
a great deal of uncertainty, some de-
rangement and loss in this process.
Unfortunately the country was not
prepared for so sudden a termination
of hostilities; but our business leaders
have tackled the subject with great
vigor as illustrated in the great con-
vention at Atlantic City and the
meetings in New York Of insurance
and railroad men; not to speak of
various similar meetings of CONNER
ciaI bodies in other cities for like pur-
poses Industry will certainly have
it's plans of reorganization completed
within a few weeks. The dem obiliza-
ton of labor is fortunately proceeding
more easily than anticipated; and
aided by government or other agen-