New Mexico state record. (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1914-19??, 1919-06-13
RAILROAD LEGISLATION

View Me 10 greatly concerned
in the legislation now under eonsi-
deration for the return of the rail
roads. IL is generally agreed that
early construction of new lines is
required to promote proper growth
and advance of the state. Ii is
better understood now than two
years ago how important railroads
are in development of natural re-
sources.
The great American inland of the
Mississippi valley and the western
plains would be a wilderness to-day,
had not a comprehensive net of rail-
way lines been spread over il to carry
it's products to the central markets.
In the early days the government
encouraged construction of railroads
by grants of land and other conces-
sions. At that time il was generally
conceded that transportation was the
primary factor to make development
possible. Since then after the coun-
try grew wealthy because of easy
transportation, this was entirely for
gotten.
There followed also a period OF RIO
tous competition between competing.
lines and reckless speculation in rail
road securities. Rate wars were com.
mon and roads were wrecked by speeu-
lators. All this reacted on the service
and the public suffered. Then arose
the demagogue who took advantage
of the discomfort of the public and
regulations became the order of the
day. Rates received the special at
t~ention at all times. They were re-
gulated by legislation enacted large
iy by men who knew little about the
railroad business. In consequence
restrictive legislation without regard
to income of the carriers reached a
point where r~ailroading became diff
ficult in the extreme.
The roads became disoredited.
Their credit became doubtful until
of late years, the average investor
summed railroad securities. When
the war came on in 1917, the trans
prepared to meet the new demands
made on il by the war conditions. In
other words we had regulated the
railroads with a heavy hand and
made il impossible for them to ex-
pand and develop to meet ordinary.
conditions, much less war conditions.
What has happened since need not
here be discussed.
Has the lesson of thirty years Of
railroad legislation come
to the people? II has. We
headed for early government
up to thirteen months ago.
he country is cured through the
of government operation
If railroads and telegraph and tele-
,bone systems. The country wants
control of railroads, but it demands :
sane and safe control entirely re-
moved from politics.
Will Congress heed the lesson of
he past? Is there danger Of freak
There is. But the big
men in Congress are ready to ans
YER the call for q ~rivival of the trans-
'~ortation industry and it Is hoped that :
title of freak features will even !
'et confederation. Congress has a .
'is problem before il that will take :
tatesmanship to solve. The idea Of !.
department Of transportation has !.
cen advanced. This would throw !
he railroads into politics and politics ;
nd business do not mix. The .
warranty of minimum net return 10 :
lso proposed. This would not stimu- :
,te the railroad business. Give the u
managers she opportunity .
o work for results and the rail.
bad industry will take care of it,
Elf.
lew Mexico Is watching the progress r