Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1919-01-15
RAILROAD PROBLEM QUESTION OF
STUBBORN FACT, NOT OF Theory
McAdoo Favors FeYear Test Period in Which to Prove Which
Is Better Government Ownership Or Private Ownership
Wisely Regulated Under Superior Authority
y: of Federal Government.
BY w. G. M'ADoo.


of the most, If not the most, impor-
tant and vital domestic questions facing
the American people. Our welfare
and prosperity depend on it's proper
solution. Therefore it is peculiarly
necessary that the facts regarding it
be understood clearly; that it be set
tied not along partisan political lines
nor in Difference to the prejudices Of
any class; that the American people
face the issue boldly and dispose of it
as courageously as they have always
done with every basic problem they
have had to meet.
Let me say Immediately that have
no pet theory to advance in discussing
the settlement of the railroad ques-
ton. At the present time am neither
an advocate nor an opponent of gov
eminent ownership. But while my
tendency is against government own
ership and in favor of a wisely regu-
lated private ownership under strong
federal control, I am frank to say that
ain not afraid Of government owner
ship should experience, gained by an
adequate test, prove that it is the best
solution of the problem. We are liv-
ing in a new day in America; the
world is throwing off old shackles; we
must do what seems best in view of
ascertained facts regardless of pre-
conceptions. favor fve-year test
period because believe it's results will
tell us convincingly which is better
government ownership or private own
ership wisely and adequately regulated
under the superior authority Of the
federal government.
Calls Attention to Problem.
The recent suggestion made to the
congress for such test under peace
conditions has at least served to con-
centrate attention on the problem.
Many of the attacks on the plan plain
ly have been, dictated by selfish in
terests; others just as plainly are due
to misunderstanding.
The suggestion most generally adj
vanced by the opposition is that the
roads be continued under government
operation for the twenty-one months
period after the war, as provided by
the present federal control act, and
that during that time remedial legis-
lation (there is an utter lack of agree
ment ON the details of such legisla-
ti0n) be enacted to return the roads
to their private owners.
There are two reasons why such a
course seems to me impossible; first,
the roads cannot be operated success
fully under the present act for twenty
one months with the prospect Of their
return to their owners at the end Of
that time approaching nearer every
day; and second, no adequate and fair
remedial legislation can be obtained
within that time in view of the polit-
ical situation, and the lack of crystal
lization Of the thought of the nation
as to what is the best permanent So
must be frank, for the American peO-
pie are entitled to frankness. This is
their problem, and they are going to
settle it sooner or later whether GER
tain interests want them to or not.
The most serious obstacle to going
on with the present system of federal
control under existing limitations
while the congress tries to work out
remedial legislation is that of morale.
Some purposely blind people appear
to think this an idle argument, put for
ward to bolster up plan. They do
not know the situation. mo man can
serve two masters
Face Stubborn Fact.
The railroad officials and employees
of the United States are only human.
If they see the end of federal control
rapidly approaching, with their posi-
tons and their future the constant
subject of partisan political contro-
versy, and with an entirely different
system of control, which will vitality
affect each individual employee, about
to go in effect they naturally cannot
work with undivided thought and at
the highest point of efficiency; they
will be thinking inevitably Of the in
terests of the private owners whose
employees they will soon become, and
they will pay less and less attention
to the government officials operating
the roads. Where the interests of the
private owners and Of the government
clash, as they unavoidably will in
many cases, employees will hesitate
which interest to serve. Confusion and
lack of efficiency are bound to result
This is not theory; this is stubborn
fact that must be faced. Already
signs of the difficulty are beginning tc
appear. With other forms of industry
this might not be so serious, but the
prosperity and even the lives of mil
lions of Americans depend upon the
discipline and efficiency of the Ameri
can railroad machine. It would be 8
dangerous experiment truly to play
with such an organism merely for feal
Of a bugaboo or for partisan political
purpose or advantage.
Then, too, were the effort made t,
continue the present control under ex
listing legislation, the railroads, from
physical standpoint, might stand still
or even deteriorate during the twenty
one months period. Without the co
operation of the railroad corporations
it is difficult under the present law t.
carry forward improvements or to oh
tain needed equipment. Already man!
Of the railroads are resisting pur-
chases of necessary equipment for
their account. Many of the necessary
improvements, such as joint terminals,
while of great benefit to the public,
are not relished by some railroad cor
porations for competitive and there
fore selfish reasons. Such improve