The Hope pioneer. [volume] (Hope, N.D.) 1882-1964, 1919-01-23
BY w. G. M,Apoo.

NU"k AN VANSA
the American people. Our welfare
and prosperity depend ON its proper
solution. Therefore it is peculiarly
necessary that the facts regarding II
be understood clearly; that it be set
tied not along partisan political lines
nor in Difference to the %prejudices OF
any class; that the American peopie
face the issue boldly and dispose OF 1t
as courageously as they have always
done with every basic problem they
have had to meet.
Let me say Immediately that l have
nc pet theory to advance in discussing
the settlement Of the railroad ques-
ton. At the present time l am neither
an advocate nor an opponent of gov
eminent ownership. But While my
tendency is against government own
ership and in favor Of a wisely regu-
lated private ownership under strong
federal control, l am frank to say that
/ am not afraid of government n
ship should experience gained by an
adequate test, prove that it is the best
solution Of the problem. We are liv-
Ing in a S.av Gsy in America; the
must do what seems best in view of
ascertained facts regardless Of pre-.
conceptions. l favor Il fivc-year test
period because l believe its results will
tell us convincipgly which is better
government ownership or private own
ership wisely and adequately regulated
under the superior authority of the
federal government.
Calls Attention to Problem.
The recent suggestion l made to the
conditions has at least served to con-
centrate attention on the problem.
Many of the attacks on the plan plain
ly have been dictated by selfish in
terests; others just as plainly are due
to misunderstanding.
The suggestion most generally ad-
vanced by the opposition is that the
roads be continued under government
operation for the twenty-one months
period after the war, as provided by
the present federal control act, and
that during that time remedial legis-
latiOn (there is an utter lack of agree
ment on the details of such legisla-
tion) be enacted to return the roads
to their private owners.
There are two reasons why such a
ourse seems to me impossible; first,
the roads cannot be operated success
S,11y ,,pT1nr tho rrpcnrt ont rn, t,x,o,t1,
M months with the prospect OF their
retur to their owners at the end of
that time approaching nearer every
day; and second, no adequate and fair
remedial legislation can be obtained
within that time in view of the polit-
zeal situation, and the lack of crystal
liZat1On of the thought of the nation
rs to what is the best permanent So
luton. In discussing these two points,
I must be frank, for the American peO-
pie are entitled 10 frankncss. This is
their problem, and they are going to
settle it sooner or later whether GER
tain interests want them to or not.
The most serious obstacle to going
on with the present system Of federal
control under existing limitations
while the congress tries to work out
remedial legislation is that Of morale.
Some %purposely blind people appear
to think this an idle argument, put for
ward to bolster up a plan. They do
not know the situation. mo man can
serve w masters"
Face Stubborn Fact.
The railroad officials and employees
If the United States are only human.
If they see the end Of federal control
rapidly approaching, with their posi-
lions and their future the constant
subject of partisan political contro-
versy, and With m entirely different
system Of control, which will vitality
affect each individual employee, about
to go in effect they naturally cannot
work with undivided thought and at
the highest point of efficiency; they
will be thinking inevitably of the in
terests of the private owners whose
employees they will soon become. and
they will pay less and less attention
to the government officials operating
the roads. Where the interests Of the
private owners and of the government
clash, as they unavoidably will in
many cases, employees will hesitate
which interest to serve. Confusion and
lack of efficiency are bound to result.
This is not theory; this is a stubborn
fact that must be faced. Already
signs of the difficulty are beginning to
appear. With other forms of industry
this might not be so serious, but the
prosperity and even the lives Of mil
lions of Americans depend upon the
| discipline and efficiency of the Ameri-
can railroad machine
Then, too, were the effort made to
continue the present control under ex-
listing legislation, the railroads. from
a physical standpoint, might stand still
or even deteriorate during the twenty
one months period. Without the CO.
operation of the railroad corporations,
it is difficult under the present law to
carry forward improvements or to OBJ