The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-01-28
8 YEAR RAIL RULE
VITAL, SAYS M'ADOO
Continued from First Page.

efficient combination of water and rail-
facilities.
"This cannot be accomplished under
the present railroad law. which provides
that the railroads cannot be controlled
by the Government for longer period
than twenty-one months after the return
Of peace within n twenty-one months
period no substantial development OF
existing waterways can DO made, nor
can their operation in so brief period
afford any adequate test Of their values.
Upon the return of the railroads TO
private ownership, which must be made
within the twcnty-one months period. as
the present law provides the cutthroat
competition of tho railroads under pri-
yate control with the partially devel-
oped waterways will effectively destroy
water transportation as heretofore. and
the peoples Investment in these facili-
| ties will continue to be of little II any
value.
ct have urged the Congress 10 extend
the period OF Federal control Of the rail-
| roads for i've years because that will
give us time to develop some OF the most
| important existing water routes. coordi-
| nate them with the railroads and prove
/ their worth as a part OF a great Ameri-
! can transportation system.
| "T also feel that the Government
| should control the railroads and the In
| land waterways for period OF five years
| so that they may in turn be coordinated
with our Government merchant marine
| which has been built at n cost OF moro
than two billion dollars, and which I'M
der existing law the Government controls
| for a five year period.
Vision Is Necessary.
| Unless we look at this great problem
|
solely OF tho American people instead OF
from tho standpoint of the selfish inter-
| est of private railroad owners. private
| steamship owners, private shippers pri-
| vate investors. or any other single class
we shall not measure up to our obliga-
tons to the American people. nor realize
the great opportunities and destiny that
lie ahead OF US.
The confusion Of counsel about the
railroad problem, made daily more evil
dent by the great variety of conflicting
views and opinions row being presented
| at the hearing before the Interstate
| Commerce Committee of the Senate a,
| Washington, makes It more and more
clear that the course of wisdom. sagaclty
| and prudence Is TO extend Government
control OF the railroads for five years
| that our inland waterways be developed
to the largest possib extent during thai
| period ana lnAt AitHt llltlu waterway
and rail facilities he coordinated will
our great merchant marine in an en-.
deavor to get for American business en-
terpr!se a fair participation in the hene-
Ats of world commerce.
mo part OF our Union is more vitality
concerned in this question than the grea'
States OF the Ohio and Mississippi val
leys, as we'll as those bordering on thu
lakes, the oceans and the Gulf. Many O
their leading ports will continue to b.
starved and their development arrested
unless thay are given chance undo,
the impartial control by the Government
Of rail and steamship facilities
THE powerful and seepless forces o
reaction are soidly arrayed against thi
plan. They will defeat il unless tn
American people are aroused to the sit
uation. The time is short. The matte
Is vital. Ny earnest suggestion 70 20,
and your associates is that you pres
upon the attention of the Congress tn
Importance of the five year control /,
order that the things YOU want to ac
complish may he brought about"