Norwich bulletin., 1918-06-20
NO PERMANENT MERCER.

There can be no surprise at the an nouncement which has been made to the effect that Attorney General Greg ory has refused to approve the form of contract proposed between the rail- road administration and the express companies which have been consoli- 5ated under the name of the Ameri- can Railroad Express company. In fact it would have been a surprise had he done so for the contract calls for the permanency of such an arrange ment and not for the period of the war
 The merging of the leading express companies was sanctioned for the same reasons that the government took over the railroads. It was seen where a great saving and better ser vice could be obtained by such action. It was realized that the single con- trol would bring about needed inn provements, but in the case of the railroads they are to go back to pri- rate ownership q months after peace is declared. It was, however, intended that the consolidated express com panies should continue to remain as such, which. if the attorney general ',hould give his approval. would mean that the very combination which the anti trust laws are intended to cover would be permitted and permitted by the government.
 The action of the attorney general makes it evident that such will not be done. that while the uniting of the companies during the war and possi- tlya for short time thereafter may i,e advantageous to the country as a var measure it cannot be permitted q IS permanent thing under the Sher- man law. The decision against such action is therefore entirely consistent and wise. for if it could be done in one line it could be in others.
 THE LIGHTING QUESTION:.
 It was never really believed that there was any serious danger of an air attack upon New York city as the re- suit of the presence of the German U-boat off the Atlantic coast, but it was nevertheless a safe and sane move which was made in ordering the city lighting so reduced that it would practically be in darkness as far as the street and sign lighting was con- cerned. It was well to get the matter so organized that it could be carried out quickly in case of necessity The city recognized the wisdom of it ant didn't complain. although criticism has been indulged in regarding the lack of general compliance. Appar- | ently not a few considered it neces- sary to hear the bombs dropping be- fore the regula tion should be taken as applying to them.
 But while the shutting off of the 1 lights was being done as a protective 1 measure it was impossible to overlook | the fact that it was at the same time tringing about a. saving in fuel whicl l if continued would amount to consid erable over an extended period. Ant 1 should the same idea be adopted in al cities or at least should there be the | elimination of lights which are by nc
 means required. it would go quite z
 way toward effecting the saving C. fuel administration declares must b,
 saved this year.
 New York has, however. rescindet
 it's order. Lights are on again in ful l blast and the indications are that tn,
 saving which is possible will not b, l'cffected. What New York is doing il | this respect need not and ought not t
 make it necessary for others to q, likewise. One of the easiest ways o
 saving fuel ought not to be over | looked.