The Hope pioneer. [volume] (Hope, N.D.) 1882-1964, 1919-01-23

der federal control, in spite of the
tremendous demands that the wal
needs have imposed. Here again it is
forgotten apparently that the railroads
were placed under government control
for the purpose of winning the war
against the German autocracy. The
first duty was to move troops and war
supplies. l have yet to hear a sound
criticism of the name in which that
pressing war need was met. Millions
Of soldiers We're moved safely and eX-
peditiously to the seaboard. and from
camp to camp. Foodstuffs, munitions
and other supplies were rushed to
ships at eNpress-train speed. The
American railroads during the past
year have functioned for the war pur-
pose.
But even in the conduct of ordinary
business, the record made by the rail-
roads shines by comparison with the
record of private control in previous
years when considered from the stand
point of important traffic. During the
fall of 1918, there was practically no
congestion anywhere and we were still
the railroads in the crop-moving sea-
sons of 1916 and 1917. Toward the
end of 1916 conditions became so bad
that the interstate commerce commits
sion made an investigation. AS a re-
suit, Commissioner McChord filed Il re-
port in which he said that "mills have
shut down. prices have advanced, per-
ishable articles of great value have
been destroyed, and hundreds of car
loads Of food products have been de-
laycd in reaching their natural mar
kets." Also that "long delays in tran
the exception, and the operations OF
established industrial activities have
been uncertain and difficult"
Became Simple Matter.
The accommodation of passengers
in peace times, and the proper at
tention to. the transportation of Ordi
nary freight, become Il cOmparativel!
simple matter once the larger Ques
lions have been disposed of. No prac
teal, just and experienced man Cal
honestly argue that government Op
GRAFTON per Sc has caused bad service
Already needed trains are being re
%remcdied; rules made necessary b,
the war are being done away with.
touch on such questions briefly IL
order that there may be no %becloudin;
of the issue by the injection of falls
premises. No disaccommodation will
result to the travelling or shipping pub
lie by the extension of the period O
federal control. The question merel.
is whether wise and well. considered
remedial legislation for the return o
the roads to private control can b.
obtained under existing condition
within twenty-one months, and wheth
er, ever if that were possible, tn
roads could be operated successfully
economically and satisfactorily pend
ing the discussion by the congress
and the country, and especially will
the 1920 presidential campaign ap
preaching.
Neither contingency being possibl,
in my judgment, l see no escape from
the conclusion that the period of fed
eral control must be extended for fiv.
years, so that an adequate test Of uni
fed operation may be secured under
peace, not war, conditions, and neces
-.
other facilities be made, free from
partisan political influences, or thu
railroads must be restored to private
control in the e a future to take
their chances under the old laws an(
conditions which governed them priol
to the assumption Of control by the
government.