The Washington herald., 1919-03-17
RAILWAY HEADS
!. NOW OPTIMISTIC
Views of Elliott Reflect Con-
6dence of Executives,
+. Says Holland.

when the railroad executives. so
called. made choice OF Howard Ell
lfott as chairman of a special COM
mittee which is to consult and ad-
wise with Director General Hines
upon all matters of Importance
which will affect the railroads of
the United States, IL was made clear
that these executives are on the
whole looking into the future with
confidence, believing that a reason
hble and adequate method will be
hdopted whereby the railroads will
be relieved of embarrassment.
Mr.. Elliott had come from Chi
cago only a few hours before the
meeting of the railroad executives
at Washington. He was selected
by the Commercial Club of Chica-
go as perhaps the best authority
Whereby information could be i'm
parted to this influential body re-
specting the railroad situation.
There were gathered at Washing
ton almost all OF the individual
forces which as a group represent
the direction and control, under the
Director General. OF the railroads
Of the United States.
Many OF these executives are lden-
tined with the expansion and i'm
Of the United States, especially in,
the West and Far West Almost ALI
Of them are known as men who pos
sess the gift of individual initiative
whereby they were able to bring the
american railroads up to a con-
ditton and position unsurpassed by
the railroad systems of any other
country.
Optimistic Spirit.
Mr.. Elliott is recognized as a man
Of careful Conservatism in which
the spirit of optimism is infused.
In the darkest days OF the rail-
road situation he was one OF those
Who did not despair. In some re-
spects his outlook resembles that
taken by Judge Gary. Both are men
who look upon the bright side.
Both are capable Of peering through
fogs and penetrating in that way
TO the better outlook which is be-
.yond the fog. Neither is of the dis
position which was characterized
by the ete ]. P. Morgan's remark
that ''the man who is bear on
the United States will go broke"
for they have never been bears
either with respect to the United
States or the railroad industry.
Mr.. Ellxtts address to the Chi
eaEo Commercial Club has been
widely published and has OCCASION
ed much comment. Some features
of IL were criticized in a friendly
way by Director General Hines. On
the whole II is spo<n of as the
best statement. not only Of present
railroad conditions but also of
what future conditions should be,
that has been made by any one,
whether railroad executive or gov
ernment offcer.
They Ghost an OptimIst.
Some of the railroad executives.
notably two or three who are rep
resentatives Of railroads in the Far
West, have not been in a very hap
py mind since Congress adjourned
without authorizing an appropria-
tion of scsle s70O.OOO.0O0 with which
to meet t<e needs of the railroads.
Apparently this state of mind was
changed after the executives knew
what Mr.. Elliott's views and those of
some OF the other railroad execu-
lives are. Now the feeling in bank
ing circIs is strong that financial
ingenuity. the moral and as far as
possible the actual financial sup
port OF the government. and the
adoption OF wise methods by var
ious railroad companies whereby
security can be offered for ad-
vances, will serve to tide over the
situation until Congress meets.
II the American bankers were able
and willing to underwrite the Joint
loan placed in this country by
Great Britain and France. the ag-
Kregate Of which was $500, 900, 900,
they should be able, il is believed,
to aid in financing the railroads out
Of the somewhat desperate situa-
ton in which, IL was at first
thought, they would be placed by
reason of the failure OF Congress
to adopt the necessary legislation
whereby the governmeft could fur
nish the railroad with $500. 10000
Business Awaits Railroads.
Mr.. Elliott. and others who. like
him, are masters of the railroad
problem and situation. are confident
that after improvsnents and ex-
pansions are completed the railroads
will be able to handle all the busi-
ness that is offered, and Furthermore
that the amount OF transportation
which the shippers will seek to
buy is certain to exceed in volume
any heretofore asked for even in
war days.
That means that the ADLER rail-
road executives, the men who are
familiar with conditions through
out the country, are confident that
as soon as readjustment is complet-
ed and as soon as railroad improve
ments are perfected a volume of
business in the United States, here
tofore unimagined. will reflect un-
paralleled prosperity. Mr.. Elliott
and othts, look upon the labor
question as perhaps the most ser
ious, but they are confident that
this will be satisfactorily answered.
Mr.. Elliott said in private CONVEX
sation day or two before he went
to Chicago that the people must
have the railroads as highly equip
ped, as well improved, as greatly
expanded as possible. Therefore it
is to the advantage OF the people
that there be no hitch in the ar
rangements made by the government
with the railroads for advances or
payment on account of the ex-
penses.
The Little Roads.
Mr.. Elliott is Of the opinion that
while the proposed regional system
Is not the best, nevertheless il may
be found imperative that the larger
railroad systems take over or absorb
some OF the little lines That Is the
view taken by Senator Cummings.
of Iowa, who is recognized as one
of the best informed among the
members OF Congress respecting
the railroad situation and the rail-
road problems.