The Bottineau courant. (Bottineau, Bottineau County, N.D.) 1895-1929, 1919-01-30
BY W. a. M'ADoo.

E A4O 404AxV0O ESG%1G&
Of the most, II not the most, impor
tant and vital domestic questions faclnl
the American people. Our welfare
and prosperity depend on It's proper
solution. Therefore It is peculiarly
necessary that the facts regarding y
be understood clearly; that II De set'
tied not along partisan political lines
nor in Difference to the prejudices q
any class; that the American peopie
face the issue boldly and dispose OF y
az courageously as they have always
done with every basic problem tneJ
have had to meet.
Let me say Immediately that I have
no pet theory to advance In discussing
the settlement Of the railroad Ques
don. At the present time / am neither
an advocate nor an opponent Of gov
eminent ownership. But while my
tendency is against government own
ership and in favor Of a wisely regu-
lated private ownership under strong
federal control, I am frank to say that
{ am not afraid Of government owner
ship should experience, gained by an
adequate test, prove that 1t is the best
solution Of the problem. We are liv-
Ing in Z new day In America; the
world Is throwing of old shackles we
must do what seems best In view OF
ascertained facts regardless Of pre-
conceptions. I favor a ive-year test
period because I believe its results viii
tell us convinciagiy which is better
government ownership OF private own
ership wisely and adequately regulated
under the superior authority Of the
FEDERAL government.
Calls Attention to Problem.
The recent suggestion I made to the
congress for such q 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
% misunderstanding.
The suggestion most generally ad-
vanced 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-
lation (there Is an utter lack Of agree
.ment on the details of such legisla-
tion)a be enacted to return the roads
to their private owners. E#
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
n months with the prospect of their
return to their owners at the end Of
that time approaching nearer every
day; and second, no adequate and fair
remedial legislation can be obtained
within that time in, view of the polit-
zeal situation, and the lack of crystal
lization of the thought Of the nation
as to what is the best permanent So
luton. In discussing these two points,
I must be frank, for the American peO-
pie are entitled to frankness. This is
their problem, and they are going to
settle it sooner or later whether GER
tain interests want them to or not.
The most serious obstacle to going
on with the present system Of federal
control under existing limitations
while the congress tries to work 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
not know the situation. "No man can
serve two masters"
Face Stubborn Fact.
The railroad officials and employees
Of the United States are only human.
II they e the end Of federal control
rapidly approaching, with their posi-
tons and their future the constant
subject Of partisan political cohtro-
versy, and with an entirely different
system Of control, which will vitality
affect each individual employee, about
to GO in effect they naturally cannot
work with undivided thought and at
the highest point Of enciency ; they
will be thinking inevitably OF the in
terests Of the private owners whose
employees they will soon become, and
they will pay less and less attention
to the government officials operating
The roads. Where the interests Of the
private owners and Of the government
clash. as they unavoidably will Ia
many cases, employees will hesitate
which interest to serve. Confusion and
lack Of efficiency + bound to result
This IL not theory; this is q stubborn
fact that must be faced. Already
signs of the dificulty are beginning u
appear. With other forms Of Industry
this might not be 90 serious, but tho
prosperity and even the lives az mil
Hons of Americans depend upon the
discipline and efficiency Of the Amert.
can railroad machine
Then, too, were the effort made 4
continue the present control under 81
listing legislation. the railroads, from
u physical standpoint. might stand still
IL even deteriorate during the twenty.
me mouths period. Without the "a.
3pefattOn of the railroad corporations