Fulton County tribune. (Wauseon, Ohio) 1883-1925, 1919-01-24


der federal control. in SPITE of the
tremendous demands that the war
needs have imposed Here again it is
forgotten apparently that the railroads
were placed under government control
for the purpose of winning the war
against the German autocracy. The
first duty was to move troops and war
supplies. 1 have yet to hear sound
criticism of the manner in which that
pressing war need was met. Millions
of soldiers were moved safely and eX-
peditiOnsly to the seaboard, and from
camp to camp. Foodstuffs. munitions
and other supplies were rushed to
ships ut express-train speed. The
American railroads during the past
year have functioned for the war pur-
| pose.
But even in the conduct of ordinary
business, the record made by the rail-
roads shines by comparison with the
record of private control i'll previous
years when considered from the stand
point of important traffic. During the
fall of 1918, there was practically no
congestion anywhere and we were still
i at war. Remember the congestion Oh
the railroads in the crop-mOving sea-
sons of 1916 and 1917. Toward the
end of 1916 conditions became so bad
that the interstate commerce commits
sion made an investigation. As Il re-
suit. Commissioner McChord filed a re-
port in which he said that mills have
shut down. prices have advanced, per-
iishable articles of great value have
been destroyed, and hundreds of car
loads of food products have been de
layed in reaching their natural mar
kets." Also that 'long delays i'll tran
sit have been the rule rather thar
the exception, and the operations OF
established industrial activities havs
been uncertain and difficult"
Became Simple Matter.
The accommodation of passenger:
| in peace times, and the proper at
tention to the transportation of ordi
nary freight, become comparativel,
simple matter once the larger ques
tions have been disposed of. No prac
teal, just and experienced man cal
. honestly argue that government OF
GRAFTON per Sc has caused bad service
, Already needed trains are being re
stored; crowded conditions are bein
: remedied rules made necessary b
the war are being done away with.
? l touch on such questions briefly i
? order that there may be no becloudin
, of the issue by the injection of falls
+ premises No INSTRUMENTATION wi
!, result to the travelling or shipping pul
/. lie by the extension of the period {
4 federal control. The question merel
It is whether wise and well cOnsidere
n remedial legislation for the return
the roads to private c5ntrOl can l
obtained under existing condition
a within twenty-ene months, and whet
u er, even if that were possible. Il
/ roads could be operated successful
/ economically and satisfactorily pen
$ ing the, discussion by the congre
I and the country. and especially wi
I the 1920 presidential campaign. a
! preaching.
a Neither contingency being possib
N in my Judgment. | see no escape fro
q the conclusion that the period of fe
< eral control must be extended for Fl
n years, so that an adequate test Of III
II fed operation may be secured und
peace, not war. conditions, and nece
i sary improvements to terminals al
4 other facilities be made, free fro
h partisan political influences, or t
le railroads must be restored to priva
e control in the near future TO ta
e. their chances under the old laws al
4 conditions which governed them pri
1t to the assumption of control by t
l. government