The Washington herald., 1918-06-04

members Oh congress are gong "
be asked many things about the
government operation of railroads
when they return to their home
folks late this summer or early in
the fall.
The questions are anticipated in
many letters arriving now at tho
Congressional Office. 4 review Of
scores of the letters shows that the
people are interested in:
1. The rate raise by which the
railroads obtained what they had
not been able to obtain under pri-
vate ownership.
2. The salary increase for the
employes-why it was not given un
der private ownership and why.
when it was given under govern
ment operation. 1t had to be follow
ed by a rate increase.
3. Are the railroads really Civ
ing better public service than they
did under the private ownership
plan?
4. What will be done ultimately
with the carriers-is there a de-
sire on the part of the railroad ad-
ministration to work into a plan of
national public ownership?
All tHOSt polhbs aiN VI iiIpOi
ance. The people know they are
supposed eventually to pay the bills
no matter what happens. They are
interested. therefore, II they du
that, in seeing that they get all they
erty II the ownership plan Is de-
termined upon.
Just row the rate raise Is being
hxr hnn Af
ganizations over the country and
public service commissions. Many
of these organizations and oficiai
bodies have been opposing rate in
ereases for years past and they hes
itate to scquiesce in the present
and his staff may justify il on the
ground of war necessity.
Claim that the railroad men of
the nation were willing to have their
roads taken over by the government
"a claim which was made at the
Capitol when the railroad bill was in
the moulding-is given credence
now by a number of the members.
They believe the carriers heads
foresaw the necessity of making a
rate increase and that they wer,
willing to enter into the new ar
rangement for the purpose of get
ting this in this manner.
The astute Mr.. NcAdoo thus far
las been able to hold together the
people of the country and the rail-
road heads. He would make a move
one day that pleased the shippers
and the people generally and the
dav . Il
something equally pleasing to the
railroad stockholders and directors.
To date the scores have about oai-
anced. There are signs that some
thing is still coming to the people
in return for the rate raise granted
the carriers and 1t may be that in
addition to the things he has al
ready done to win popular approval
he may still do something to please
the peopel generally-at least, to
please them enough so they will
look upon the rate raise with more
equanimity.
House acceptance OF the Senate
amendment to the Military A cademy
bill allowing officers of the army to
buy their uniforms at cost would
please multitude of officers here
abouts-and in the nation general
ly. 1t is hoped that the House will
have the foresight to adopt this
amendment for it woud only be. just
to the uniforms dealers to allow
this to be done. So far as some OF
the business houses OF the city are
concerned. most of them are will
ing to come down to a low mark
almost in fact to a point where
it would hardly pay them to handle
the uniforms. This would doubt
less be a step not opposed by them
therefore, and IL 1t is to be taken
the Houses are anxious to see IL
dozen at once.
In his work on Congressional
Government" President Wilson
made this statement which has un-
usual. significance in view of the
many unusual things done by Con.
gress since April s, 1917, when we
entered the war:
No one, take 1t for granted. i.
disposed to disallow the principle
that the representatives Of the peo.
pie are the proper ultimate author
ity in all matters of government
and that administration is merel,
the clerical part of government
Legislation is the originating force
1t determines what shall be done
and the President, IL he cannot ol
will not stay legislation by the us'
Of his extraordinary power as Z
hra v.ch NJ tha farialatura IN plaiuly