Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1919-06-02
MONDAY. .,.........JUNE 2, 1919
OPINIONS ON RAILWAY
PROBLEMS.

That the general wish of every part
of the nation is for turning loose
federal management of railways and
against government ownership is now
established By declarations Of a poll
taken with the aid of newspaper
men. They indicate seven to one
majority. Largely. it may be SAID,
the editors but expressed their own
views. But the press generally and
their patrons in any section are IN
accord on great public questions af-
fecting them locally
An enterprisinE press service COM
pany in New York. sent out to all of
the 1924 editors of daily and weekly
papers of the United states ques-
tionnaire asking what was the local
sentiment upon government owner
ship of railways. The editors were
urged not to report their own opin-
ions, but TO size up the prevailing
idea Of the public. The canvas was
made before President Wilson ex-
pressed an intention to return roads
at the end of this year to owners,
Replies came from 5,922 publica-
tons, or A per cent. The poll shows
interesting facts not only about the
whole country. but about sentiment
in certain states
A tabulation was made of answers
to four important questions.
The strongest sentiment against
government ownership was found to
be in New England and the south,
sections widely apart in political sem
timent. Only per cent of New Eng
land editors and per cent of south
ern editors reported their people ia
voring government ownership.
In Texas. although only three of
the 33l editors replying are republic
cans, the number for a return of the
roads was IS per cent, considerably
higher than the percentage (S4 per
cent? in the strong republican state
of Pennsylvania.
Tennessee voted 81 per cent as
compared with SO per cent in Maine.
OF the 5,922 replies. 2,052 were
from republican papers, 1859 from
democratic, and 2.1Sl independent
and scattering,
On the first question, Does public
opinion in your Judgment seem TO
favor the return of railroads to pri-
waite ownership and operation as soon
as this can properly be accom-
plished?' IS per cent reported yes. / 1,
per cent voted no, while 4 per cent
were doubtful and per cent OK
pressed no opinion.
On the second question, 'If 50. is
this opinion in part based on the de-
sire to see competition in service and
facilities restored" rs per cent an
eswcred yes, per cent voted no. with
5 and II per cent doubtful and blank
respectively.
On the third question, What is the
present sentiment in your community
on government ownership and opera
ton of railroads." rs per cent esti-
mated public sentiment as against
government ownership, Il per cent
for, with per cent doubtful and
per cent blank.
On the fourth question. What has
been the feeling regarding the pro-
posal to extend the period of govern
ment operation for five years." the
count was as follows: Against, "A
per cent; for, 10 per cent; doubtful,
per cent; blank. per cent.
The editors of the far west Carl
iona, California, Idaho, Nevada. New
Mexico, Oregon, Colorado. Utah.
Washington reported 70 per cent yes
and Is per cent no on the question of
returning the roads to their owners.
The southwest (Arkansas, Louis
lana, Missouri. Kansas Oklahoma,
Texas returned 1876 replies. Of
these 976 or 50 per cent favored the
return of the roads while 1873 or IS
per cent opposed it. with 67 or 5 per
cent doubtful and blank.