The Monticellonian., 1918-01-11

1 the country Is. l realize, a very nedVy responsibility, but to fail to do so in the existing circumstances, would have been much greater. I assumed the less responsibility rather than the weightier. I am sure that am speak ing the mind of all thoughtful Ameri- cans when 1 say that 1t is our duty as the representatives of the nation to do everything that it is necessary to do to secure their complete mobilization of the whole resources of America by as rapid and effective means as can be found. Transportation supplies all the arteries of mobilization. Unless it be under a single and unified d. rection, the whole process of the na- tion's action is embarrassed.
 Praises Executives.
 ''It was in the true spirit of Ameri- ca and it was right, that We should first try to effect the necessary unif1- cation under the voluntary action Of those who were in charge of the great railway properties; and we did try it. The directors of the railways respond
 
 ed to the need promptly and generous ly. The group of railway executives who were charged with the task Of actual coordination and general diree- ton performed their difficult duties with patriotic zeal and marked abil- ity, as was to have been expected, and did, believe, everything that it was possible for them to do in the circum- stances. If have taken the task out of their hands, 1t has not been because of any dereliction or failure on their part, but only because there were can do and the present management can not. We shall continue to value most highly the advice of these offi- cials and am sure We shall not find them withholding it. It had become unmistakably plain that only under government administration can the en- tire equipment of the several systems of transportation be fully and unre- servedly thrown into a common ser vice without injurious discrimination pe1i liSdlhl PipPCAhiNos CAiaJ under government administration can an absolute and unembarrassed com mon use be made of all tracks, termi- nals, terminal facilities and equipment of every kind. Only under that author ity can new terminals be constructed and developed without regard to the requirements or limitations of particu. lar roads. But under government ad ministration all these things will be possible-not instantly but as fast as practical, difficulties, which can not be merely eonjured away. give way before the new management
 No Unnecessary Changes.
 The common administration will be carried out with as little disturbance of the present operating organizations and personnel of the railways as possi- ble. Nothing will be altered or dis turbed Which 1t is not necessary to disturb. We are serving the public interest and safeguarding the public safety, but we are also regardfu1 of the interest of those by whom these great properties are owned and glad to avail of the experience and train ed ability of those who have been them. It is necessary that the transportation of troops and ma terials, of food and of fuel and of everything that is necessary for the full mobilization of the energies and resources of the country, should be first considered, but it is clearly In nary activities and the normal indus trial and commercial life of the coun- try should be interfered with and dis located as little as possible and the public may rest assured that the in- terest and convenience of the private shipper will be as carefully served and safeguarded as it is possible to serve and safeguard it in the present extraordinary circumstances.
 Compensation For Owners.
 While the present authority of the executive sufficed for all purposes of administration, and while, of course, all private interests must for the pres ent give way to the particular neces- sity, it is, am sure you will agree with me, right and necessary that the owners and creditors of the railways, the holders of their stocks and bonds should receive from the government an unqualified guarantee that their properties will be maintained through out the period of federal control in as good repair and as complete equip ment as at present, and that the sew eral roads will receive under federal management such compensation as Is reliable and just, alike to their owners and to the general public. l would suggest the average net railway ope- rating income of the three years end ing June 30, 1917. I earnestly recom mend that these guarantees be given by appropriate legislation, and given as promptly as circumstances permit.
 'I need not point out the essential justice of such guarantees and their great influence and significance as ele- ments in the present financial and in dustrial situation of the country. h. deed, one of the strong arguments for assuming control of the railroads at this time is the financial argument. It is necessary that the value of rail way securities should be justly and fairly paid and that the large finan- oial operations every year necessary