Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1919-04-19
GRAHAM HOLDS
RAIL CONTROL
IS TOO COSTLY
AIedo Congressman Condemns Gov
ernment Direction OF Systems
After the War.
CLAIMS IT LESS ECONOMY
In Chamber of Commerce Talk, He
Expresses Hope Lines VIII
Soon Be Returned.

Nniercial interests during other than
4var times was Condemned by Con
Hg-essman ". J. Graham of Aledo in
IN address before members of the
zRock Island Chamber Of Commerce,
Il the Rock Island club and the Rock
Fl Island Business Mems association
in annual session at the club last
might
II In making the statement, Mr.
#GTaham did not criticize the &C
accomplishments OF the various al
ILLUSTRATIONS that were appointed
Hduring war times, but did say that
1.-THE war was over and the power of
1.-THE various administrations should
lend as intended.
In mentioning the United States
RAILROAD administration. Mr.. Graham
Tread a portion of the act that gave
#Pregident Wilson the power over
the railroads OF the country. The
Msection stated that control should
he for the period OF the war and
a reasonable time afterward."
Il Cost of operation of the railroads
lin the country under government
#control was dwelt on by Mr.. Graham
to some length. He spoke of the
III
appropriations made before con-
#gress adjourned, recently.
Il do not know whether the rail-
roads could run car a single mile
#f the government was to immedi-
7ately turn over the roadside the
#pwners." Mr. Graham said. II do
bot doubt that practically every
Road would be bankrupt,
Wage Increases
millions have been expended in
granting wage increases. l do not
#huestiOn whether or not the in
creases in wages were not well de-
Served by those who received them,
but the companies face ruin. It is up
% the government to meet these
great debts. The government took
#bver the roads and now it is up to
81 he administration and TO the gov
brnment to pay the expenses
Il hope the day will speedily come
EEhen we can return the roads to
he owners. l do not believe that
he government can run any kind of
institution as economically 3 as
|brivate individuals"
Mr.. Graham referred to the poor
service being afforded the public
xhile the government is in control
md mentioned that politics now
Controls the roads, whereas politics
s not entered under private owner
khip.
Control OF the price Of wheat was
Il referred to by MIR. Graham as only
evidence of the remaining powers
He the United States food admins
No. GIN i'm nf %
srnistice, the food administration
et a price guarantee on wheat, al
# owing the farmer S226 q buShel
# lighting stopped and importations
IRON other countries than the Unit
I'd States began pouring into Eng
n and and France tOebe sold at S1.26
81 bUshel.
81 Billion Loss.
United States wheat as a result
1BTas expected to cost the govern
#nent about one billion dollars. Con-
lkress appropriated this amount to
DE paid as loss as the result of the
8uarantee made to the farmers so
that the $2.26 q bushel price would
be paid. The food administration an
Ificipated that one billion bushels of
ESRheat would be produced.
81 But that billion dollars has not
been spent. The price of wheat is
til being controlled by the govern
Hnent. 1t was stated that the govern
#ne1t was to have the power of con-
8 roing impOrtatiOns and eXporta-
8 ions of the product Prices of wheat
n the United States Will not lower
1ntii every bit of that one billion
sollar loss is returned to the treas ,
ary department"
A stand against the league of ma
ions was taken By Mr.. Graham |
turing the course of his talk. In |
mentioning the fact that he was op-
posed to the league, he read a por- /
Fill ION of an address made by George /
ashington more than 100 years !
go. which in brief stated that the |,
United States had a task of taking /
are of itself and should not lose ,
meTican rights. /
Americans ought not to give up !
ne right of American rights. While /
believe it is the duty Of America /
o carry out what should be done /
H following the war, I do not believe |
L. tying up the country's rights and !
preventing US from being what we |
l..
Tribute 20 Marines.
France, as Mr.. Graham found it !
n his recent trip to the battlefields. !
T Fas told of during his talk He paid !
ID Ugh tribute to the marines who !
tagged the great battle at Chateau /
hiery, which was the turning point !
the war and brought about an |
# liied victory
Need of national T-epaTedness
vas expressed as great Dy Mr.. |
raham- He told of the country's de-
lorable condition at the beginning +,
war between this country and
lain at the start, that this lack of /
Preparedness was not chargeble to
be present administration. that il
ras q habit we had gotten into as a
alton and that It was characters
of administrations for years
One thing the war taught US, Mr..
# raham said, and that is that we
lust depend on private institutions
|8or munitions. The United States
nd every community should keep
ID Of its institutions ready at all
mes for the manufacture of what
be government needs in war
mes"
Refers TO ArseBaIS.
Mr. Graham referred TO Rock Is
nd arsenal happenings since the
iii gning of the armistiC. saying: i
departments at Rock Island ar
@enaI that have been running for