The Chattanooga news. [volume] (Chattanooga, Tenn.) 1891-1939, 1919-07-14
THE RAILROAD QUESTION.

1t is evident that the project of
government ownership and operation
OF railroads has not been abandoned,
though its advocates are ready to
confess that events OF the past year
and half have not strengthened the
favorable sentiment among the peo-
pie. Friends OF public ownership in
sist that there has been an organized
effort to discredit its advantages and
convince the people that 1t is i'm
practicable and wasteful And 1t may
be true that opponents OF the theory
have magnified its defects, but the
facts in the record7-known of all
men-are the main cause for the al
tered public opinion.
The people at large know that
rates have been sharply advanced
without any corresponding improve
ment In service. And they know fur
Their that notwithstanding the in
creased service charges there is a
large and still growing deficit from
operations for the taxpayers to make
good. They might be persuaded to
blame these untoward circumstances
on the war II there could be shown
any improvement since the return of
peace, but unfortunately this cannot
be done. AS the case stands, govern
ment operation of railroads can
hardly be called a success in this
country.
1t used to be that an increase of
traffic charges or of railroad workers
pay was a carefully thought out pro-
cess, with some attempt at scientific |
accuracy but under government op-
GRAFTON economic problems involving
hundreds of millions are disposed of
with a stroke of the pen. The pub |
lie is not consulted. The man at the
top gives the order and there is an
end Of it, it is admitted that there
are consultations and Examinations
of duplication which may be had I'M
der government operation that are
not practicable under private control
but economies of this account have
not materially affected the general
result.
Consolidation and cooperation
specifically suggest the possibility
of operation with a reduced person.
mel but If we are correctly informed,
the number of railroad employees has
been gradually increased. 1t has al
ways seemed difficult for the gov
eminent to get as much work for the
same pay as does a private en-
ployer. 1t Is very rare thing in
Iced to find occupants of publil Of
ices as constantly and as busily en-
gagged as those who work for BUSH
ness concerns On the contrary, in
'reases of pay are much more read
ly voted out of the public treasury :
han figured out of the earnings of
Two million potential
yoters are considerably more per-
uasive to those who fix railroad SAL
lries for the government than a
prospective deficit at the end of the
ear.
Nothing herein is intended as an
nsistence that economic defects
are incurable. We believe
hey are durable. But we have scant e
aith in their equitable adjustment
lnder our political system. There are ]
many conceivable possibilities-the
retical advantages--from govern !
nent ownership, but there Is many I
slip between the possibility and the J
probability. So long as there Is OPP t
for political leaders to bid S
gainst each other with offers of lar I
err pay to 100000 workers-the t
hipper or the treasury to stand the Il
Inference scientific management =
nd efficient, economic service are g
pit to prove the infrequent excep- c
on rather than the customary rule. Il
It gets us nowhere to denounce d
vested interests" whatever is o
leant-and their attacks upon gov ii
'nment ownership. But the facts n
re all important. That form of ar "
Iment ts lbout as impressive as n
,lling man, whom you do not p
appen to like, a pro- German. If a y
atter record can be made than has W
zen made by government operation, u
le people are ready to hear details h
plans, but these should be accom- o
inied by assurances that they will g
'oduce the results claimed for them II
oreover, they ought to be commu- fl
Gated to Mr.. Hines, who is now .,
charge, in order that he might 5,
We them a practical demonstration, q
In passing, we might remark that 81
e have no ineradicable prejudice n
,ainst public ownership. We are S,
wing to keep an open mind. AS d,
nted above, we can conceive of
any beneficent possibilities. But, :
the record stands, the case made |
t is somewhat adverse to the y
side. The burden of proof
upon it's advocates. II in future
vernment operation would make a w
tier showing or private operation pl
)uld not do so well as formerly u, II,
lich is possible-it is up to them to be
their theories. Congress az
d the people would be obliged for "a
the information that can be as tn
mbled ~