Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1918-12-06
Solving the Railroad Problem

Solving the Railroad Problem
n his appearance before Congress the Pres
ident frankly confessed that the question
which causes him the greatest concern in the
country's REIMBURSEMENT to a peace basis Is
the question OF the policy to be adopted
toward the railroads. Without confid emit
Judgment of his own to the proper course
TO pursue, he invites Congress TO join with
him In an unbiased study OF tho problem
before determining upon any particular plan
of settlement.
In the outstanding complexities of the prob
lem, however. he emphasized that the one
thing perfectly clear to him was that fair
ness, both TO the public and the owners Of
the railroads, demanded prompt legislative
solution to restore a quick stimulation of
private initiative. Should Congress shirk
responsibility in the matter and leave the
question unanswered, he indicated it presently
would become his duty to rclinQuish control
of the roads, even before the expiration Of
the statutory period limiting the date OF such
control
His suggestions as to alternative courses
open to the choice of Congress in evolving
plan of settlement afford a basis for enter
Ing upon consideration Of the subject that
admits OF comprehensive study of the prob
lem in its manifold aspects, with view
10 the adoption OF fixed policy for the
future Regarding these alternative choices
he says: we can simply release the roads
and go back to the old conditions of private
management, unrestricted competition and
multiform regulation by both State and Fed
eral authorities; can go to the opposite
extreme and establish comSlete government
control, accompanied, if necessary by actual
government ownership; or we can adopt an
intermediate course of modified private con-
troll, under a more unified and affirmative
public regulation and under such alterations
OF the law as vii! permit wastcful competi-
IN n
or unihcation Of administration to be effected
as, for example by regional corporations
under which the railways of defnable areas
would be In effect combined in single sys-
tens"
or the three alternatives, it is believed the
pubic choice will rest unhesitatingly in the
latter as the wiser policy to pursue Under
government operation the public has been
made to see that the old policy of wasteful
competition and conflicting authority can be
greatly improved upon by a more unified and
ainrmatlVe public regulation, in which the
restraints that hindercd DEVELOPMENT will he
removed and larger freedom permitted under
more unified administration for assuring rea-
sonable returns upon investments in these
properties. To return to the old policy of
control under the hampering restrictions of
present law would be to throw away tbo
benefits of the experience gained by govern
ment operation and to invite a continuation
oi chaotlc conditions in the service which
preceded the taking over of control by the
government to expedite our war effort While
there is some sentiment in favor of govern
ment ownership, it is more noisy than real
Inc country Is not yet ready TO abandon the
poilcv OF private ownership in the face of
us stupendous achievements in deyelonnp
the greatest and most servicea BILE railway
system ol any country with its attendant
contributions TO national progress and Dros
perity TO enter upon the uncertain exneri
ment OF government ownership, with its in
VOWED menace to the integrity of our political
institutions through the improper exercise ar
power to influence the political action OF mil
lions of employees