Evening journal., 1919-02-11

Francis Lee Stuart. consulting engineer
OF the Baltimore and Ohio railroad, gave
the American Society Of Civil Engineers
the essence Of the matter In three
tences we may paraphrase his explana-
tlon OF the unacceptable needs Of our
vast railway system.
The first essential Of a national trans
portation system that can operate al
full speed and at the highest efficiency
is an abundance Of capital 10 build it,
to equip II and 10 keep II up TO per-
pect standard
The second essential is an abundance
Of revenues TO pay the bills.
The third essential is an abundance of
brains, energy. enthusiasm and loyalty
to get out Of vast organization the
best that is In II.
What Government organization, rail-
way telegraph. telephone, postofflce,
custom house, or other department ever
delivers the goods of that third es-
sential class TO any worth while de-
gress?
To get the high speed. the smooth
running. the top results OF efficiency
there must be the individual Interest
and zeal Of personal ownership. the in
dividual response 10 personal obliga-
tion, the individual devotion to per-
sOnal ideals. This, as Mr.. Stuart says,
means handing back the railroads 10
those who own them. who know them.
who love to work at their job. who are
clad TO spend the last ounce OF them
selves in making II a good Job.
But, with the hundreds OF millions
Of donars Of operating expenses which
the Government has piled and Is pillng
upon the roads, with the billions Of
dollars which must go as capital into
the equipment, extension and better
ment OF the roads. handing them back
without any financial help would pile
up a wreck OF the great part OF The
whole national transportation system,
killing the industry and the business
OF the country and leaving the Ameri-
can people In an economic chaos
scarcely better than Russia's
Government operation or private op-
grafton. there must be provided CO.
lnssal capital. As matters now stand
HE Government must not merely pro-
vide that canital: II must put up hun
dreds OF millions OF dollars a year 10
'bNRA iho UHIl lbNNtS kIUWlIlk
worse and worse every day. Right or
wrong In going into the railway busi-
ness, the Government Is In. Right or
wrong In mixing Government finance
with private finance, the Government
Is doing lt What, then. Is the next
step logically and practically?
II the Government will lend the rail-
roads money 10 operate themselves the
Government win get back It's money.
u will cut on. the instant It returns
The roads 10 their owners, the pro-
iIgious losses which must now be made
mp out of the United States Treasury
The Government will be rid OF its white
elephant. The railway owners will
have their properties. They will COM
mand the money they need to put into
ihem. They can operate them success
'ully and serve the public satisfactorily.
In Mr.. Stuarts plan. Of course. are
details as 10 rates, powers. cOnsolida-
tions, protection Of the public and
similar Items. But 10 Is not necessary
here TO do more than show that his
vision OF the fundamentals, which es-
cape alike the Garretsons Of the broth
erhoods and the Bryans of politics. Is
as clear as sunshine; his DIAGNOSIS Of
the disease Is simplicity itself; his
remedy not only Is sane but Is prac-
tcal.