The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1918-01-05
greater. assumed the less responsI-
bility rather than the weightier.
Must Mobilize Resources.

Must Mobilize Resources.
am sure that | am speaking the
mind of all thoughtful Americans
when | say that it Is our duty to do
everything that 1t Is necessary to do
10 secure their complete mobilization
Of the whole resources of America
by as rapid and effective means as
can be found. Transportation sup
plies all the arteries of mobilization.
Unless it be under a single and uni
fed direction the whole process of the
nations acton Is embarrassed. Ii
was in the true spirit of America and
Il was right, that we should first try
10 effect the necessary unification
ander the voluntary action Of those
who were in charge OF the great rail
way properties; and We did try 1t.
The directors of the railways respond
ed to the need promptly and gener-
ously. The group of railway execu-
tives who were charged with the
task of actual coordination and gen
eral direction performed their difti'
'ult duties with patriotic zeal and
marked ability, as was to have been
expected, and did, believe, every.
thing that it was possible for them
to do in the circumstances.
If | have taken the task out of their
hands il has not been because OF
any dereliction or failure on their
part, but only because there were
some things which the government
can do and the present management
cannot We shall continue to value
most highly the advice and assist
ance of these gentlemen and / am
sure we shall not find them with
holding it.
Government Control Only Solution.
1t had become Enthusiastically plain
that only under government admins
tration can the entire equipment OF
the several systems of transporta-
ton be fully and unreservedly thrown
into a common service without in.
furious discrimination against par.
ticular properties. Only under gov
ernment administration can an abso-
lutely unrestricted and unembar-
rassed common use be made of all
tracks, terminals, terminal facilities
and equipment of every kind. Only
under that authority can new term
mails be constructed and developed
without regard to the requirements
or limitations of particular roads.
But under the government all these
things will be possible-rnot instantly,
but as fast as practicl difficulties,
which cannot be merely conjured away
give way before the new management.
The common administration will be
carried out with as little disturbance
Of present operating organizations and
personnel of the railways as possible.
! Nothing will be altered or disturbed
which II is not necessary to disturb.
We are serving the public interest and
safeguarding the public safety, but we
are also regardful of the interest of
those by whom these great properties
are owned and glad to avail ourselves
Of the experience and trained ability
Of those who have been managing
them.
War Traffic First Consideration.
1t is necessary that the transporta.
ton of troops and of war materials, of
food and of fuel, and OF everything
that is necessary for the full mobiliza.
ton of the energies and resources OF
the country should be first considered
but it is clearly in the public interest
also that the ordinary activities and
the normal industrial and commercial
life of the country should be interfered
sIDre ana the public may rest assured
that the interest and convenience o1
the private shipper will be as carefully
served and safsguardek as II Is DOS.
sible to serve and safeguard 1t ip the
present extraordinary circumstances.
Wants investors Protected.
While the present authority of ths
executive offices for all purposes OF a6
ministration, and while Of course, al
private interest must for the present
give way to the public necessity, II is
i am sure you will agree with me
right and necessary that the ownerI
and creditors of the railways, the hold
ers of the stocks and bonds, should re
ceive from the government an unQuali
fed guarantee that their properties
will be maintained throughout The
period of federal control in az goot
repair and as complete equipment a!
at present, and that the several roads
will receive under federal management
such compensation as is equitable and
just alike to their owners and to thu
general public. l would suggest tht
average net railway operating income
Of the three years ending June 80
1917. ! earnestly recommend tha
these guarantees be given by appro
pirate legislation and given as prompt
V as circumstances permit.
Move 10 Mere Justice.
need not point out the essentta
Justice of such guarantees and thei
great influence and significance as ele
nents in the present financial and in
iustrial situation of the country. In