The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1919-05-30
New York, May "a, 1919.

New York, May "a, 1919.
Whether from force of habit or
from an inherent doubt of the ability
of congress to find satisfactory So
luton of the many problems with
which it will be confronted during the
next few weeks, traders on the secur-
ity exchanges were more disposed to
sell than to buy during the past week.
Hence it was somewhat contrary to
expectation that simultaneously with
the opening of the new session OF
congress. from which so much is ex-
pected, that stock prices should move
abruptly downward and trading turn
largely professional.
While there is disposition in many
quarters to hold out severe indict-
ment against the government for ex-
travagances and errors in the handl-
ing of war funds and the manipula-
ton of the implements of production
the real trouble is to be found in the
growing realization of the seriousness
of the railroad problem and the rec
ignition that however we'll disposed
congress NAV be, it is confronted with
limitations that place an almost in
surmountable barrier directly in the
considered the most important prob
lem now engaging the attention OF
the American people.
The railroads are now showing an
operating deficit at the rate of SOB,
100000 a year and it is said that in a
short time the billion dollar mark will
be in sight. Their present condition
and the experiences of the past 10
months have influenced the country
against government operation. The
country sees itself faced with heavy
taxes to carry the burden of govern
ment operation of railroads. The So
cial political, economic and CONNER
ciai life of the nation demands that
all the interests involved get to-
gether on a cooperative basis. This
can only be done after the most
thoughtful consideration by all who
are we'll posted on the subject and by
restricting the collective demands to
what is reasonable. Everyone is now
in a mood to look for the solution on
the middle grounds of compromise
Many plans have been advanced for
the solution of the railroad problem
They differ greatly, but all interests
which have been working construc-
lively on plans for remedial legisla-
ton and railroad development have
been gradually drawing nearer in
their efforts. Director General Hines
says that the best interests OF tbs
country will be protected by return
ing the roads to private management
and not by permanent government
control and urges avoidance of delay
Certainly railroad managers banking
interests and the general public con
cur in this viewpoint.
A Good Plan
The Association of Owners of Rail
road Securities, which has the con
fidence of many of the ablest bank
ers and economists of the countr,
has outlined a plan which has foun
most acceptance among those VIII
have given specific consideration t
the subject Briefly the plan is a
follows:
Provision is made for the organizs
ton BY act of congress of a corpora
ton to be known as the National Ra
ways Association. Into this associ;
ton would be paid earnings in exces
of 6 per cent and through the corpo
alton this money is to be disposed {
for equipment or such other purpos,
as the management may determine.
This corporation yields no profit
the railroads It's trustees would col
sist of the nine Interstate Commer'
Commissioners and eight operatir
and financial men selected by Il
boards of directors of railroads
various locations of the country.
Regional commissions are provid,
in the six existing regional tcrritori
now laid out by the Interstate Cor
merce Commission. Three commi
sioners would sit in each CT these q
tricts and residents of these distric
only would be eligible for appoir
ment. Thus would be secured m
who would not only be CONVERSE
with the territory over which III
would preside but would give the {
portunity for an effective co-ordii
ton with the state commissions
the various states comprising each
the six districts.
In his cabled message to congr
President Wilson disposes of
railroad problem in IS words stat
positively that the railroads viii
handed over to their owners at
end of the calendar year. This pla
an added incentive for the pros
consideration and settlement of
financial tangies introduced by
deplorabie results of government
Grafton and control.
In addition to the task of CON
ering the peace treaty congress
confronted with program which T
be briefly outlined as follows:
turn of the railroads: legislation