The herald-advance. (Milbank, S.D.) 1890-1922, 1919-01-24
BY w. G. M'Apoo.

tant and vital domestic questions Iacihs
the American people. Our welfare
and prosperity depend on its proper
solution. Therefore it is peculiarly
necessary that the facts regarding u
be understood clearly that 1t be set
tied not along partisan political INES
mol in Difference to the prejudices oi
any class; that the American people
face the issue boldly and dispose OF u
as cOurageOusly as they have alwass
done with every basic problem NE
have had to meet.
Let me say immediately that l have
no pet theory to advance in ~discussin:
the settlement Of the railroad ques-
ton. At the present time l IN neither
nm advocate nor IN opponent of gov
ernment ownership. But while my
tendency is against government own
ership and in favor Of a wisely regu-
lated private ownership under strong
Federal control, / am frank to say that
ain not afraid of government owner
ship should experience, gained by an
adequate test. prove that it is the best
solution Of the problem. We are liv-
ing inca new day In America; the
world is throwing off old shacklcs we
must do what seems best in view of
ascertained facts regardless of pre-
period because l / believe its results will
tell us cOnvincingly 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 ! made TO the
congress for such Il test under peace
conditions has at least served to con-
centrate attention on the problem.
Many of the attacks on the plan plain
" have been dictated by selfish IN
terests: others just as plainly are due
TO misunderstanding.
The suggestion most generally ad-
~anced 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-
iation (ti,ere Is an utter lack of agree
ment on the details OF such legisla-
fion) be enacted to return the roads
to their private owners.
There are two reasons why such a
course seems to me impossible; first,
the roads cannot be operated success
fully under the present act for twenty
enc months with the prospect Of their
return to their owners At the end OF
that time approaching nearer every
day and second. NJ adequate and fair
remedial legislation ran be obtained
within that time in view Of the polit-
zeal situation. and the lack Of crystal
lization of the thought of the nation
rs to what is the best permanent so
tuition. In discussing these two points.
] must be frank. for the American peo-
pile are entitled &c f%rankness. This is
their problem, and they are going to
settle 1t sooner or later whether GER
tain interests want them to or not.
The most serious obstacle to going
VII V4tlt NAS III SSNhN NSNNA VI GOCt IL
control under existing limitations
while the congress tries to werk 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
know the situation. mo man can
serve two masters
Face Stubborn Fact.
The railroad officials and employees
of the United States are only human.
If they see the end of federal control
rapidly approaching, with their posi-
subject OF partisan political contro-
versy, and with an entirely different
system Of control, which will vitality
affect each individual employee, about
TO 90 In effect they naturally cannot
work with undivided thought and Mt
the highest point Of efficiency: they
will be thinking inevitably OF the in
terests Of the private Owner whose
employees they will soon become, and
they will pay less and less attention
to the government officials operating
ne roads. Where the interests of the
private owners and Of the government
clash. as they un%avoidably 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
mis- might not he 50 serious, hut the
prosperity and even the lives Of mil
Mons Of Americans depend upon the
discipline and efficiency Of the Ameri-
railroad machine
Then. too, we're the effort made to
continue the present control under ex.
listing legislation. the railroads. from
q physical standpoint. might stand still
o. even deteriorate during the twenty
enc months period. Without the CO.
operation OF the railroad corporations.
1t is difficult under the present law to