Fulton County tribune. (Wauseon, Ohio) 1883-1925, 1919-01-24
RAILROAD PROBLEM QUESTION OF
STUBBORN FACT, NOT OF THEORY
McAdoo Favors FMeYear Test Period in Which to Prove Which
Is Better Government Ownership or Private Ownership
Wisely Regulated Under Superior Authority
of Federal Government
BY w. G. M'ADoo.

BY w. G. M'ADoo-
The railroad problem is today one
of the most, if not the most llhpor-
tant and vital domestic questions laciis
the American people. Our Weilare
and prosperity depend on It's proper
solution. Therefore it is pecuilarl9
necessary that the facts regarding II
be understood clearly; that it be set
tied not along partisan polltlcai hnes
nor in Difference to the preJuulces Vi
any class; that the American people
face the issue boldly and dispose Oh II
as courageOusly as they have Always
done with every basic problem they
have had to meet.
Let me say Immediately that L have
no pet theory to advance in discussing
the settlement of the railroad ques-
ton. AT the present time am neltler
an advocate nor an opponent OF gov
ernment ownership. But while my
tendency is against government own
ership and in favor of u wisely regu-
lated private ownership under strong
federal control, am frank to say that
l am not afraid of government owner
ship should experience, gained by an
adequate test, prove that it is the best
solution of the problem. We are iiv-
ing in a new day in America; the
world is throwing off old shackleS; we
must do what seems best in view of
ascertained facts regardless of pre-
conceptions. l favor Il fiNe-year test
| period because believe its results Will
tell us convincingly which is better
government ownership or private own
ership wisely and adequately regulated
under the superior authority of the
federal government.
Calls Attention to Problem.
The recent suggestion made TO the
congress for such a test under peace
conditions has at least served to con-
centrate attention on the problem.
Many of the attacks on the plan plain
ly have been dictated by selfish in
terests; others just as plainly are due
to misunderstanding.
The suggestion most generally ad-
| vanced by the opposition is that the
roads be continued under government
operation for the twenty-one months
period after the war, as provided by
the present federal control act, and
that during that time remedial legis
lation (there is an utter lack Of :tgree'
ment on the details of such lcgisla
tiOn) be enacted to return the roads
to their private owners.
There are two reasons why such {
course seems to me impossible; first
the roads cannot be operated success
fully under the present act for twenty
one months with the prospect OF theil
return to their owners at the end o
that time approaching nearer ever.
day; and second, no adequate and faiT
remedial legislation can be obtainet
/ within that time in view of the polit
ical situation, and the lack of crystal
lization Of the thought of the natioI
as to what is the best permanent Sc
J lutien. In discussing these two points
/ must be frank, for the American pee
! pie are entitled to frankness. This /
q their problem, and they are going t
3 tain interests want them to or not.
The most serious obstacle to goin
on with the present system of feders
control under existing limitation
while the congress tries to work on
: remedial legislation is that of morale
Some purposely blind people uppea
TO think this an idle argument, put fol
ward to bolster up plan. They d
not know the situation. ''No man ca
serve two masters"
Face Stubborn Fact.
: The railroad officials and employee
: Of the United States are only human
: If they see the end of federal conrrC
: rapidly approaching, with their pos
tiOns and their future the constar
subject of partisan political contrt
versy. and with an entirely differeE
system of control, which will vital
e affect each individual employee, abor
: TO go in effect they naturally cannC
e work with undivided thought and ;
e the highest point of efficiency; the
i will be thinking inevitably of the il
:, terests of the private owners who's
n employees they will soon become, an
( they will pay less and less attentio
i 10 the government officials operatiu
3 the roads. Where the interests of I'll
e private owners and of the governmel
Il clash, as they unavoidably will i
Z many cases, employees will hesitat
Il which interest to serve. Confusion an
). lack of efficiency are bound to resul
This is not theory; this is u stubbor
fact that must be faced. Alread
II signs of the difficulty are beginning I
z appear. With other forms of industt
d this might not be SO serious. but I'll
& prosperity and even the lives of mi
: ions of Americans depend upon IL
t discipline and efficiency of the Amer
= AN railroad machine
s Then, too, We're the effort made
e ontinae the present control under e
!. sting legislation, the railroads. fro
4 physical standpoint, might stand sti
h T even deteriorate during the trent,
d lie months period. Without the G
v operation of the railroad corporation
|. t is difficult under the present law
. .iTEy AOFWStt@ improvements Ut 10 u
ain needed equipment. Already mat
: 1f the railroads are resisting pu
o ,hases of necessary equipment fl
n heir account. Many of the necessal
8 improvements, such as joint terminal
breaches Fl