Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1919-08-21
An Unsolving Solution Of the Rail-
road Problem
(New York SUM

NANCW 4O1h GUM
A suggested solution of the railroad
problem which looks simpler than it is
here follows:
'The first essential Of the railroad
problem is to arrive at solution that
will give the employees return IN
to the adyanSs In the ,na
to meet their increased expenses. and
the public efficient transportation SER
vice; ., ...,. .. . ,.rv. question
but a solution is offered Which appar:
emily covers all the necessary points; 1t
is this: First, let US return to pre-:
war basis Of the cost of living, scale OF
US take the date of June l. 1913. Now
we will put before US the cost Of the
above three items on that date. Figure
next the percentage OF the rise I'm IN t 5hs
month, is 50 per cent. greater than in
"The solution is to add 80 per cent,
or the increased cost OF hylne, Potn ~ 70
This would cover everything and also
insure the investor a return Tor MS
ITO be sure. the cost Of living will
vary, and so likewise will the wage
and transportation charge vary proper
tionatelv. All that will be necessary
will be eSmpetens S;cn can be 70 arrved
ne from data Already available The I.
G. I. will then be a bisis for wages.
rates and Indirectly of earnings Tor
stockn0ioefS' Thomas R. Mohitt.
"Saranac Lake, August T."
But this is exactly the mistake which
the United States Railroad Administra-
ton made. the railway workers made.
and the Democratic government cost
elevators generally made. 1t Is exactly
the thing which has Plunged the Ameri-
can people UP to their necks IN living
cost trouble. 1t is exactly the fallacy
which makes all prices like a soaring
balloon, with nobody. desperately striv-
ing to climb up after it, able to eaten
It,
It was not doubted by the Railroad
Administration when 1t increased
freight and passenger rates that there
would be abundant railway income not
only to pay the increased wages and 70
nay the guaranteed rental to the owners
of the roads but to pile up as well
good working balance and even sur
plus. But no sooner were the rates
raised than the prices of all commodi-
ties carried by the roads increased
more than the rates had been increased.
Then, Of course, the wages Of all
workers had to be increased in an eff
fort to have their pay catch up with
their. increased food and other living
costs. Then. of course, everything
made by such labor had to go on up
still higher. Then. Of course, the in
creased cost Of food. the increased
cost OF clothes. the increased cost Of
shoes, the increased cost of every
tking-caused by the increased rail
rates and rail wages and all wages
were chickens that came home 70
roost on the very railway workers.
No longer would their increased wages
buy as much for them as their lower
wages had bought for them before.
Likewise. for the very same reason.
the railroads income would no longer
meet its cost Of living. It's coal would
rise. due to the same cause; its equip
ment would rise: it's supplies would
rise-all it's living costs would rise.
As for the poor stakeholder or bond
holder he had no place at all to land
In safety. If his interest on his bonds
was not omitted through the terrible