New-York tribune., 1919-10-14
Speedy Legislation Necessary
to Avert Serious Impair
ment of Service, Director
Tells Congress Leaders
improvements Blocked
Morale of Employees Is
Menaced by Uncertain.
ty of Final Solution
Neap rork Tribune
F1sIt3l atom B,ire0Y

NeW York Tribune
| Washington Bureau
WASHINGTON, Oct. 13.-Speedy &C
tion by Congress in the enactment of
railroad legislation because delay "wll
seriously impair the public SERVICE"
suspend improvements and the acquisi-
ton of equipment and lower the morale
OF employees, is urged by Director Gen
eral Hines of the railroad administra-
ton in letters to Senator Cummins ana
Representative Esch, of Wisconsin,
chairmen of the Senate and House In
terstate CONNIE rec committees. In his
letter Mr.. Hines says:
Il know you are anxious to press
railroad legislation to the earliest pos
slbe conclusion. 1t occurs to ne you
may naturally find there are legislators
who have not followed the subject as
closely as you have and who may not
have an equal appreciation of the rea-
sens why the public interest necessi-
tates the earliest possible solution.
Il therefore write to point out tina.
delay will seriously impair public SER
vice by virtually suspending improve
ments and acquisition of equipment
| ohu ny iaupcIlllliS tUS luOTalC OIL lne
railroad organization.
Solution Is Imperative
difficulties / point out could not be
obviated by the government remaining
in control from week to week pending
adoption of legislation, because the
suspension OF the improvement and
equipment programme and the impair
ment of morale could not be remedied
by such course.
Pending the passage OF legislation
uncertainty makes it impossible for the
government to plan or carry forward
necessary additions and to acquire new
equipment 1t also makes it mpossi-
Bile for the companies to make such
preparations.
ITO keep abreast of the growth of
bushes it is indispensable that the
railroads should continue to spend
largcment of terminals and construc-
tion of additional shops, engine houses,
turntables, etc.
I'm the year or two prior to the be-
ginning of Federal control this work
was largely arrested by difficulties Of
securing materials, labor and new cap
ital. During 1918 this work was
largely restricted to things which could
be promptly done and which would
have relation to winning the war.
improvements Stopped
The result was that comprehensive
programmes for developing the rail
roads were largely interrupted. SO far
this year there has been an almost
complete stoppage of these matters, be-
cause of the prospect of early termina-
ton of Federal control and the result
Ing lndisposition on the part of Con-
+ CiQfi tN H.,
for extensive improvements to be car
ried on with government funds.
Hence, a vast amount of work re-
mains to be done which the intcrvcn-
ton of the war has necessarily delayed
and accumulated, and the result is that
during 1910 large capital expenditures
ought to be made to make up for inter-
ruptlons and to prepare to serve ade-
quately the increased traffic. This IS
particularly true as to equipment, as
it seems to be reasonably certain. that
in the fall of 1920 there will be need
for materially more freight cars than
will be available if the corporations
are not able promptly to make plans
for additional equipment.
Many Preparations Necessary
"To make the necessary preparations
it is obvious that considerable time
must be allowed for planning improve
ments and for raising the money. Ever
plans for improvements cannot be mad,
until the character Of the Legislation
is decided.
Gwen thirty days delay in making
plans means much greater delay il
carrying the plans into effect, and i
legislation should be so delayed as t,
prevent definite plans until we'll alon
in the spring. the probability is tha
the plans could not be carried out il
time to meet traffic requirements il
1920
What I have said with regard t.
capital expenditures, of course, doe
not affect the situation as to. mainte
nance work. The Federal control &C
and contracts between the government
and majority of the corporations i'm
pose an obligation to return the rail
! roads in substantially the same con
dition as they were when they wer
! taken over, and the railroad admins
tration is carrying on its maintenance
1 work on this basis.
| Question of Morale
| "a distinct element of great impor
lance is the question of morale. Tn
doubtedy uncertainty and suspens
| cannot improve morale, and scriou
| prolongation Of uncertainty and sus
pense would greatly impair morale. S
far as | feel. officials and employees ar
| withstanding in q splendid way in
J furious influences of uncertainty, bu
l am sure that it will become NOR
,. difficult to concentrate upon perform
ance of their work rather than dwell
l on future conditions.
"The sooner legislation can be com
pleted the sooner can a favorable in
f1uence take the place Of the unfavor
able influence which the uncertainty i
bound to breed"
Railroad Executives