Vernon Parish Democrat. (Leesville, La.) 1917-193?, 1919-07-19
THE NATIONAL CAPITAL
(By J. E. JOnes)

a day as an average for the last three
years prior to Government regulation
1t is unfair to say that the increased
costs OF transportation are due to Gov.
eminent operation of the railroads
since the facts show that the $5,OOO,.
200 daily increase in the cost of run.
ming the roads is traceable to increased
wages paid employees amounting tc
$3,500,0O0 a day; increased cost Of
coal, amounting to 100000 a dav:
with the remaining $800,000 a day ac.
counted for by the decreased cost Of
steel and other railroad supplies.
In the case against Government own.
ership of railroads. it can not be fairIy
charged that these advances in operat-
ing costs represent extravagances. On
the contrary the conditions which have
almost doubled the cost Of operating
the railroads are the same as those
which have brought about the same
results in most Of the industrial occu-
pations. The plain statement of facts
shows that it is condition, not a the
ory. that the country is facing.
When the railroads are returned to
private operation they will have to 90
along under the new basis, since no
one believes that wages will be reduc-
ed, or that coal or steel will be cheap
er. 1t is significant that even though
the wages of railroad employees have
advanced 90 per cent since the begin
ming of the European war that during
the same period steel workers have OBJ
tanned increased wages amounting to
IFS per cent.
1t necessarily follows that any gain
that private operation Of railroads can
expect to obtain over Government OPP
Grafton will be represented in greater
efficiency and in the success they may
achieve by investing new money in i'm
proving railroad properties. The rail-
road owners have always strictly main
tanned that they can, and have, pro-
duced more transportation per employ
ee than the Government, since private
operation supplies better machine to
work with-and a greater degree of
efficiency results from private owner
ship than is realized under political
control.
RAILROAD RECONSTRUCTION
The condition that the Government
is trying to produce by way Of railroad
reconstruction, in order that the lines
may be turned back to their owners on
a workable basis, seeks to make the
properties pay their own expenses.
Even with the increasing rates, the
is running behind some
where around half billion dollars a
year. Director Hines comments with
reference to the expenses up to date,
that the Railroad Administration, just
like every business, has been confront
ed with its own high cost of living"
With respect to the methods that have
been employed he says: 1T is reason
ably clear, | think to everybody. that
a twenty-five per cent increase in rates
will not take of perhaps an average
of 48 per cent increase in expenses,
including both wages and materials,
unless there is an exceptional profit;
and instead of an exceptional increase
in business. we had an exceptional de-
crease in business"
RATES WILL BE INCREASED
Congress. the Railroad Administra-
lion, and the Interstate Commerce
Commission are in accord in the belief
that railroad freight rates must be adj
All officials appear agreed
that the roads must be made seIf-sup-
porting before the expiration of Gov
eminent operation. When this result
IS obtained, the Government will have
cleared its conscience, and be able in
effect to say TO the railroad owners
and the country: "For a dozen years
5r more railroad affairs have been
subject to every kind of experiment
hat could be invented in the 48 state
Capitals; the Government found the
-oads ina sad financial plight when
he war came on. but gentlemen. here
ire your properties; we have measur-
(Cont'd on page 8, col. 81