Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1919-03-07
RAILROAD PROSPECTS,.

Following closely upon the adjournment Of congress
comes the statement by Director General Hinea that the
railroads are not Immediately to be returned to private
ownership. nor are they to be permitted to fall into the
condition Of chaos which has seemed not unlikely to fol-
low the failure of congress to legislate with reference to
them. This statement, with the prospect which it holds
out. is exceedingly gratifying. because, as everyone real
ICES. the prosperity of the measure is so closely inter-
woven with the proper operation and development Of the
railroads that the two cannot be separated.
ME-. Hines does more than make a mere general state
ment. The railroads are to be retained by the govern
ment for the time being. They are to be financed; steps
are to be taken for their proper operation and Of the car
rying on for works Of improvement already planned.
While much of this work will be hampered by lack OF
sufficient funds. 1t is nevertheless very satisfactory to
know that it II to be pushed as fully ana as rapidly as
possible. The country cannot prosper il the railroads
stand still.
Mr.. Hines declared that there is to be no reduction
In wase1at this time. The policy Of maintaining wages
at the lresent standard. at least for the time being. is
correct. Compared with the wages Of 4 former period,
the wages Of railroad men. ~ Of most others, are now
very high. but there has been no reduction in the cost OF
living since railroad wages were advanced, such as would
Justify in any measure an attempt At this time to scale
wages Gown. Such an effort would DO certain to result
in strikes and other disturbances which would be disas-
trous to the country.
1t is quite likely that the plans for many improve
ments proposed must be materially scaled down. 1t SEEING
impossible that sufficient funds can be raised now to
promote the carrying on Immediately Of all the works OF
improvement for which tentative preparations have been
made. but We have the announced policy Of the govern
ment to proceed with this work a. rapidly ~ possible.
and it may be before the present financial possibilities
are exhausted congress with have taken steps to bridge
the gap. !
It develops that the railroad board will have subject
70 tts control some $sa7.ooo.oo which can be devoted to
the various railroad purposes A. needed. This il to be
supplemented by loans from private sources which can be
obtained by tina railroads, although At = relatively high
rate Of interest. In ali probability these loans will be
maAs for short psrioda
Whatever might have been possible had q small mi
noEity in congress not prevented the passage Of the de-
ftcieney bill with it, oppoSition it IL certain now that there
can be no reduction In rates The railroads viii need ali
the money that can be derived from every source. and Mr.
Hines Gays spscifically1that no reduction In rates l. con-
t~snaplatsd. 8
On the uhols whils the railroad situation u Tar from
being what one might desire It to be. it il very much bet
ter than II might he. ard that there was prospsctsS ! few
day. aso sthat Il would r.. l.98
Many urtmat sial sentences ars bstng rsducsA firhsy
shouIA H. MANY ~ thsm arA monsk,nus IT Ns