Arizona republican. [volume] (Phoenix, Ariz.) 1890-1930, 1919-11-20
The Railway Bill

The passage last Monday by the house of rep
resentatives of the Esch railway bill does not
that that legislation is nearly completed and that
the roads will be returned TO private management
January /. That the house regarded the bill
tentative in character may be judged from the
fact that it had been given such brief consideration
since its passage took place within ten days after
it reported to the house. So, we may judge
that the house only to pass measure along
to further and final consideration in conference. 1t
is therefore unlikely that the roads viii be restored
January l. but within the month in which the
bin may be enacted"
There were many features Of the bill that were
given the most superficial discussion by the house
so that may assume that the house stands in the
attitude Of being ready to compromise yield many
OF the disputed points which have engaged the at
tention Of the country for months. Among these
the subjects of financing, depreciation the pro-
lection Of investors and the settlement labor
putes. On Of these points the house divided
along party lines It would probably not If these
matters up for final settlement.
There few in either house interested
in good showing for government operation That
is all in the past The showing has been bad enough
and there is contention that it has been other
wise. il has probably though been good it
could have been under any American government
as has been said. "disiusonment regarding govern
mcnt operation is a valuable salvage"
The report of the house committee showed the
following financial facts: At the end Of the prees
ent year the roads win owe the government $685.
13s261. Immediately payable. The items making up
this sum for advances for betterment, equipment
and open accounts. The government at the
time will the roads sSS5395S51 unpaid stand
ard compensation. This will be further in
creased TO s1.224 6s0154 by depreciation and open
account balances There will thus be due the roads
from the government in the settlement, s326541S9
Then the difference the wrong side. between the
earnings and the rental due the roads from the gov
errnent for the twenty four months of federal OPP
Grafton is s551777.459. The working capital neces-
sary TO leave with the roads private operation
is $357S43.27s. There have been appropriated for
the Of the government this two year expert
nent. s1.25O,oO The expenditures exceeded
this appropriation by s32s,541,Ss3.
Nobody to know to what extent the gov
eminent has fulfilled its obligation in the presidents
statement that "The properties will be maintained
during the period of federal control in as good re-
pair and as complete equipment as when taken over
by the government" Generally, though it is not be-
lieved that the roads in as good physical shape
they when the government took them over.
That is said to be especially of the roads which
have made the best financial showing or rather the
least bad financial showing.
But the thing that has happened to the
roads in their absence from their owners has been
tho greatly increased cost of operation formation
OF expensive habits which win plague the private
The government has tried to cover this in
creased expense by increased revenues. by rates
which IL proposed by the private owners as late as
Two years ago, would have provoked an uprising
Yet. this great it has BEEN has beer
insufficient to meet the expense Of operation so thai
the roads under private operation will have TO resort
either TO further increases Of or else to receive
government guarantees OF support until they can ge
on their feet again
There to be little difference of opinion
among congressman to the necessity Of broad gov
eminent regulation Of the roads, far sweepinr
than had been hitherto exercised. There is though
inevitable difference OF opinion concerning tn
proper location Of the line between state and fedora
authority, reopening Of a controversy which ha
pretty well settled in favor OF the government
tho time the roads were taken
One favorable aspect of the situation and on
which win contribute to proper adjustment. is tn
clear recognition that sediment In favor of In
public interest is far important than
dispute between the states and the government q
between the owners OF the roads and labor TIL
thing TO be aimed at is settlement that will en-
able the roads to give the best service to the pub