The herald-advance. (Milbank, S.D.) 1890-1922, 1919-01-24

der federal control. in spite OF the
tremendous demands that the war
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 wal
supplies. | have yet to heal q sound
criticism Of the n in which that
pressing war need was met. Millions
of soldiers were moved safely and ex-
peditiously to the seaboard, and from
camp to camp. FOodstuffs. munitions
and other supplies We're rushed to
ships at express-train speed. The
American railroads during the past
year have functioned for the wal 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
at war. Remember the congestion on
the railroads in the crop-moving sea-
sons of 1916 and 1917. Toward the
end Of 1916 conditions became SO bad
that the interstate m commits
sion made an investigation. As a re-
suit, Commissioner McChord filed a 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-
layed in reaching their natural mar
kets." Also that long delays in tran
sit have been the rule rather than
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 crdi-
nary freight, become a comparatively
simple matter nee the larger ques-
tons have been disposed Of. No prac-
teal. Just and experienced man can
honestly argue that government OPP
GRAFTON per Sc has caused bad service.
Already needed trains are being re-
stored crowded conditions are being
remedied; rules made necessary by
the war are being done away with.
I touch on such questions briefly in
order that there may be no be%clouding
Of the issue by the injection Of false
premises. No INSTRUMENTATION will
result to the travelling or shipping pub
lie by the extension Of the period OF
| federal control. The question merely
Is whether wise and well considered
remedial legislation for the return Of
the roads to private control can be
obtained under existing conditions
within twenty-One months. and wheth-
err. even IL that were possible. the
roads could be operated successfully.
economically and satisfactorily pend
ing the discussion by the congress
and the country, and especially with
the 1920 presidential campaign ap
preaching.
Neither contingency being possible
In my judgment. l see no escape from
the conclusion that the period Of fed
eral control must be extended for five
years. SO that an adequate test of uni
fed operation may be secured under
peace. not war. conditions. and neces-
sary improvements to terminals and
other facilities be made, free from
partisan political influences. or the
railroads must be restored to private
control in the near future to take
their chances under the old laws ard
conditions which governed them prior
to the assumption OF control by the
government.