The Mankato free press., 1919-08-22
FEDERAL RAIL CONTROL
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the lines in a more systematic way
than private interests. The govern
ment has not had fair trial as it
had most OF its experience in hand
ling railroads during the war times
and II takes some time for new
management to get started on a
business to which they are not ac-
customed."
O.. w. Walker: Turn the roads
back to their owners and the sooner
the better. We are getting no serv-
ice now and are paying one half more
on fares and freight. What the roads
need is competition"
j. c. NARROW: II am in favor of
government ownership if 1t can be
worked out the same as the postoffice
system is run. 1t would take from
three to five years to get the lines
running in this manner. ] don't
feel that government ownership has
been given a fair chance thus far
A. G. Lack: 1--WE had good serv-
ice and reasonable rates with the
roads under private control"
Government Ownership Not Sussess.
B. +. Pay: I'VE have not found the
government ownership Of roads a
success. We need a system that Will
get the goods over the road, that
will give service. 1t may be that gov
ernment ownership has not had time
to work out to a success but II mas
not given service during the time In
operation"
G. w. Eichsteadt: Il don't be-
lieye in the government ownership OF
the railways There is too much
politics in this system. The service
cannot compare with that under pr1-
yate ownership. We will have an
awful mess Of our shipping facilities
if government ownership continues.
Colonel George Mead: "It seems
10 me the experience the country has
had with shortages on the railways
and the deficit on the lines or Dll-
lions of dollars should be a lesson
not to even talk about government
ownership Of the roads. l cannot
see why anyone would advocate this
plan after the experience the govern !
mert has had in the past year and
half" .,
Give Them prNste WE Err;,
F. A. F1sher OF ManAd'o :,
company: "Absoiuteiy no soVei
ownership OF railroads. or me
have had plenty of exasperating ex-
oeriences with such railroads for the
past' two years. Shippers get anything
but satisfactory service. / know, oe-
cause have had experiences eve,
day that have Deen anythihs
pleasing. Private ownersnip oi ian
roads Is the only system py wnich ws
can get good service. NO one can .alh
government ownership IN any phase
g -;s:;'' re- @, :. !, e =. :
NJ Bc5t mSn%ssr a. Ben 10y :.
nl>-ci- uoyernment ownership oL TAI
roads is q bad thing Tor the people
Government controi pfsa.e.,
owned railroads may De al rignI W.
have had quite a little pracucai eA'
perience with government raiiroaas
II gives a very great poiiticai power
and such big thing as the railroads
Of the country should not be- IN tne
hands or poiiucal macnlne. Coh
petition has been the energy pehinc
all the greatness ana progressifeheos
Of the United States. we must nave
an incentive toCmake things move
Let Government heguiate.
George w. Surfen OF the Nauona
Citizens bank: There Is no quesuor
in my mind but what private owner
ship OF railroads. under government
regulation. is preferable TO govern.
ment ownership. anyone VINO mas nae
any extensive dealings with the ran
roads, or Travelled wniie the roaos
have been under government controi
will come to that conclusion IRON
their experience. IL mas Deen lmpos
sible TO secure good service undel
this system.
w. ID. willard OF the First Natlona
bank: I'VE nave gwen government
control pretty falr tr1al during tnt
past two years, ana the plan does no
seem to have worked out satlsfactor'
ily.'
Several men hesitated TO give thell
views on the subject. some statee
that they had not given the matter
enough thought, and others pleaded
political reasons.
C. L. Kennedy: Il worked for foul
private control and operation of the
lines is by far the best method. Gov.
eminent ownership has certainly