Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1919-01-02
Federal Operation of
Roads Fails Webster

Minneapolis Jan. 2.-Charles Web
ster, Of Waucoma, Iowa, retail lumber
dealer and msmter Of the Iowa rail-
road commission, in Minneapolis dis
cussed government control Of railroads
from the standpoint Of an official and
also Of shipper.
Many good things have been ac-
complished under the authority given
the railroads, by the federal admini-
stration," said Mr.. Webster, but now
that the war is over We may as well
admit >the many defects of government
operation. In the Interests of the pub
lie, the roads should go back to pri-
vate management after the 81 months
period for readjustment. But we
should allow the railroads to go on
doing, under governemnt control. what
they are now doing under war time
management The Sherman antitrust
law should be repealed ard the roads
permitted to CO. operate instead Of en-
gaging in wasteful competition.
Rate Readjustment Needed.
There must be rate rc-adjustments
OF course. The federal railroad admin
istration has upset conditions by rate
changes In many cases, undoing what
had taken years to accomplish. The
interstate commerce commission should
resume its authority over rates, and
there should oe another body to SUPER
wise the operation of the roads, to
prevent abuses of the authority grant
ed.
while the war was on there was
very little complaint Of conditions
Our Iowa commission never had so
few complaints as 1t had during the
war. People were willing to suffer in
convenience to help the government.
but since the armistice was signed
people once more feel they have a
right TO say something. Defects in
tfles wartime system that were ap-
parent to shippers now are being dis
cussed openly
"The roads needed more revenue,
and rate increases were necessary, but
they were made at a stroke Of the PEN
without proper consideration. and con-
ditions the shippers had obtained af-
ter years Of fighting were swept aside
in many cases the results being ruin
Gus to certain industries.
Salaries Decided without Adjustment.
New and exoFbitant rates brought
increased revenue, which too often
have been, used to pay salaries with
out much proper consideration and ad-
justment. Callboys are paid as much
as experienced railway mail clerks, and
trainmen who have given their lives to
the service often are receiving less
than men with only few months ex-
perience.
t"The public has been invited to n9-
tify the director general Of any sriev-
ances, but complaints sent to Wash
ington are returned to the proper Of
ficials, who often have to make a NIP
ute investigation Of the most trivial
and silly complaints: The public does
not like the system. 1t is too far away
from the individual shipper, and ne
finds it almost impossible to get action
as he formerly did.
"Rate increases have been too large
in many cases. We are notified OF
40 @per cent increase in express rates
in iowa. Jan. 1. That is more than the
express companies were asking us re-
Gently, OeIOTe ttlcI So'SAA~~
over the companies.
Livestock Shipments Delayed.
livestock shipments have been de-
[layed needlessly in various ways, caus-
ing great loss and shrinkage' from
the comment I hear, am satisfied that
* ner cent of the travelling public OF
the middle west would welcome re-
turn to private management Of the the
roads If they had chance to vote on
1t.
MANY good things have been ac-
comn,i.hed by permitting the railroads
~ AZ what was forbidden before. the
Interchange Of equipment is wonder
full thing, The abandonment OF par
aliel tracks in isolated districts the
combination OF ticket offices and othci
changes are excellent. But the snip
,er. and receivers of freight and tne
travelling public would rather see the
hanres continued under o system that
would bring about real efficiency IN
nanaxement, That can only be oo-
famed ,by returning the roads to tneii
owners, subject to strict government
regulation.
Public Favers Private oPsTas'".
my experience as BUSINESS
has led me to the nrm beiiet Una
few public utilities can pe as econ.
on,scally and As satisfactorily Operated
IN the government AZ under e1icfen'
nrivatc ownership, and am sure w
nuhuc II General, would welcome the
return az 1hs railroads at the prope'
timc. under this control, with the ra,e
,r.iins power under direction OF the
interstste commerce commission and
ths Asnersnt railroad commission, a.
| befofe."
N. webster 10 = former presiden'
.n6 Z 49, director OF the NorthWesFt'
err Ynmbermen's association. and y
| q the city On business connected witn
| - coming here, Jan. Il to II. ne naA
Ibeeu serving 10 federal fuel admini :
stratoF Of Iowa. Is