The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1918-12-21
SHALL THEY GO BACK?

0AA<AAA] 4AAAAA VIZ AASAAs
'If congress do not extend the time
for government CONTROL" says Mr.
McAdoo. 1.-THE railroads should be re-
turned to private management at the
earliest possible moment" In that
statement the retiring director general
is correct. The longer the railroads
are retained by the government the
more difficult 1t will be for their divi-
sion into separate operating systems
under private management. Under
existing law federal control will con-
tinue for twenty-one months after the
PRONUNCIATION of the peace treaty,
more than two years from this time.
The war is practically over now. The
use of the roads as war utilities has
nearly ceased, and there is no reason
why they should not be turned back
to their owners as soon as suitable
legislation can be enacted.
The travelling and shipping public
have already had a years test Of fed
eral management OF their transporta-
ton systems. Their verdict on the re-
suit was indicated in the outcome of
the November elections. They know
that practically all of the roads have
been run at financial loss since they
were taken from their owners. They
know that that loss was in spite of the
fact that freight rates were arbitra-
rily increased rs per cent and passen-
ger rates SO per cent in q vain effort
to prevent financial disaster. They
know that congress put $500. 900. 900
into the hands of the director gen.
eral. as an elastic revolving fund" to
relieve embarrassed systems tempo
rarily in need Of money. Most Of that
has been expended. but not a cent re-
turned to the government. and it is
proposed now to provide anotheD half
billion revolving fund standing to the
credit of the war finance corporation.
Mr.. McAdoo admits that there are
growing conflicts between state and
federal authorities over railroad mat
tiers. Added to- all this Is the evident
inefficiency Of the roads in all the de-
tails that contribute to a high standard
of management. Increasing discour-
tesy and discomfort to passengers and
prolonged delays in the shipment of
freight are the result. Consolidation
Of ticket offices has resulted in much
annoyance and loss of time to the
travelling public, a fact that is tacitly
admitted by the railroad administra-
ton in urging the purchase of script
books 30 as to avoid the necessity of
trip tickets.
The basic obstacle to efficient rail-
~, de-
the almost comoplete loss Of individual
initiative and the esprit de corps of the
whole railroad personnel the moment
the spur of private supervision and
control gives way to the politics and
red tape of federal management. The
directors and managing officials of a
privately-operated road know that
they hold office only So long as they
conduct their enterprise in such a way
and passengers, thus insuring divi-
dends to their stockholders under
whose authority theDact.i
The federal managers Of a govern
ment system of roads, on the other
hand, know that their tenure of office
depends on the continuation in power
Of the political party to which they
owe their appointments. Private
managers are constantly on the look
out to detect and correct inefficiency
in employees and methods which II all
lowed to continue would reduce the
earning power OF their properties.
Federal managers know that the
United States treasury will supply any
financial deficiency in their steward
ship. Employees OF the roads, from
the president down, feel the differ
ence. and the resulting loss of morale
IL one Of the many outstanding rea-
sons why government operation Of the
railroads can hardly prove to be sue
cessfuL s.
Probably few persons, even among
railroad owners and managers them
selves desire a return to the old con-
ditions. but 1t Ii apparent that reme-
dial legislation cannot be hurried and
the business OF the country and Of the
| roads is in danger of serious damage
thru delay and uncertainty. 1t seems
to be up to all concerned to make the
best Of an embarrassing situation.
The taking over Of the roads was a
necessity and It accomplished what
was intended. It relieved the freight
congestion. which was retarding the
war preparations OF the government
The needs OF the government having
been served, It Is now time TO consider
the interest Of the public and the own
ers of the properties.
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