Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1919-03-10
MEMBER THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Monday. March 10, 1919
Early Extra Session vitality Needed.

The failure Of Congress to pass the
bill to create new revolving fund OF
$!SV,ODVO for the Railroad Administra-
tionsis adapted to cause disastrous con-
sequences" says the Railway Age. ut
leaves the Railroad Admin straton al
most without money and withou, any
source from which to get il. 1t cannot
get 1t from railway earnings because
the railways are not earning enough net
operating income to pay the guarantee l
standard return to the companies. The
Railrol i'd Administration may be force
10 make the most drastic econom eS IN
the maintenance OF the railways, re-
kardless Of future consequences. THIS
throw hundreds of Thousands OF men
3 out of employment at time when gov
eminent bodies and officials are urging
private industries TO give all the en-:
lloyrnent they can. In spite of any re-
trenchments it may effect. the Railroa i
Admin, stration will continue to De Tn
able to provide the railways with funns
with whicil-to pa; their bills to the rail-
way supply companies. 1t may Le-
come unable to pay the railway COM
panie~ enough f their standard re-
turns to meet their interest and normal
dividends.
There is but one remedy for the con-
ditIon the on-action OF Congress has
created. This is for President wilson
to call the new Congress in extra ses-
sion Immediately. 1t has been reporte
that Congress will not uc re-conven-d
until Iune; Conditions affecting the
Transportation and related industries
are such that to postpone providing a
new revolving fund until June or later
might he disastrous. not only to these
industries. but TO the industries anu
Rress is responsible for the failure to
create new revolving fund at the re-
cent session. President Wilson will lie
responsible if an extra session is not
promptly convened al which the need. d
legislation can be enacted
An extra session is needed at once.
not only 10 provide the Railroad Ad-
ministration with funds ii is essential it
try. but also to enable Congress to pro-
coed Immediately with the framing OF
legislation under which the railways can
be r retur n 3, to private operation; ;..,.,
newspaper. 1t is no part of its func-
tion to attempt to say whether the Re =
publicans or the Democrats in Congress
should be blamed for the failure of the
for the consequences to which this may
lead But 1t is our function as a journal
devoted to transportation to call atten-
lords one of the most powerful OF the
many arguments the government has
forged within the last 15.months against
government ownership and operation.
ut always has been argued agains,
government ownership and operation
that under 1t the management of the
railroads would become a football OF
try and the people and with the effec!
of corrupting politics itself. TIE fail
ure OF Congress to pass this ra:l"o2d ap-
preparation bill. whose enactment. was
recognized on all hands as niece ,Sary for
the welfare Of the countr", is the test
evidence vet Afforded of the go n mes
OF the political argument aga nst gov
er ne tha kind IS pseu
would occur over ard over again under
permanent government ownership an
operation. The welfare OF the nation
has been utterly dierer, -d.i VIE e
members of Congress- have en- ,a.,aG in 4
struggle which has beer carried Oh
largely from political motives .s
ment in handling the railways during
the last Is months. including the failure
to pass this vitality needed piece Of legs
American people that permanent owner.
ship and operation is wholly unde-
sirable, We cannot conceive what kind
Of evidence could be required to con-
vince them"
The determination Of the President
to have his own wa. regardless OF
ing the country millions of dollars
daily. Business Of every kind is
held up or handle appcd immeasur.
ably by the uncertainty of condi-
tions. The railways furnish only
one striking example. Business dare
not branch out into contracts such as
the times should warrant If the gov.
eminent was doing business instead
Of playing politics or conducting q
campaign Of self -glorification.
A do-nothing Congress has closed
its well-nigh useless career and LEFT
the countrys affairs at loose ends. {
stupendous example Of inefficiency
don't rap. politics-rotten posi-
ton gambling. Look at the list o.
things unfinished and at the record
Of the last Congress as demonstrated
by the wind" in the official Con
gressional Record"
Not only was the $750.0o0.00o rail
road administration bill left higl
and dry, but bills dealing with un'
employment Of labor. literacy prob
lens, immigrant exclusion and de-
portation bills. bills dealing will
government control Of telegraph
telephone and other wire utilities
bills carrying great appropriation.
for army. for navy. for merchan
marine. for agriculture. for relief O
: unemployed soldiers. bill to enforc,
national prohibition. the compromis,
equal suffrage constitutional amend.
ment resolution, bill making unlaw.
1ul the display OF red dags and the
circulation Of propaganda favorins
the overthrow Of government BY
1orce-all these and many othe,
measures Of vital importance are
aground high and dry awaiting the
Presidents pleasure or the constitu.
tiona1 assembling OF Congress mex,
December.
But never mind the affairs Of thi,
country! Let them hang bv the
gtlls until the President is ready,
No ono In America is competent &c
look after Americas interests at the
peace conference but Woodrow vii.
son. And the Congress cannot b<
trusted to sit and to deal with thu
nationsA internal affaira vuhilA thu