The labor journal. [volume] (Everett, Wash.) 1909-1976, 1920-04-16
TRANSPORTATION
IS DEMORAL|zEO!
(Contributed)

river to the coast of Maine freight
embargoes have been placed that
have tied up commerce and serious
Iy threaten the industrial fabric of
the nation.
Practically every important
transportation company embraced
IN the territory described has placed
emoargoes against carload and less
than carload shipments. A number
OF the important lines refuse to ac-
cept freight originally on other
lines, with the result that junction
points are congested and the car
shortage has become more acute.
shippers are complaining bitter
ly, but without gaining any relief.
The traffic managers do not even
take the time or the trouble to make
an explanation for this unsatisfac-
tory condition. When they do at
tempt to give reason, it is the
worn out phrase that the govern
ment is to blame"
During federal control of the
railroads embargoes were practical
| ly unknown. When the govern
ment interviewed to save the nation
on Jan. l, 1918, terminals were tied
up and embargoes existed every
where. After two months of hard
work the government administra-
| ton brought order from chaos, and
traffic moved freely, despite many
complications. Millions of troops
were safely and comfortably trans
ported. Never before did the rail
roads of the nation face such a
tremendous task, and never did they
better or more effectively meet it.
For more than a year prior to
March /, last, when the railroads
were returned to privatH control,
there had been no embargoes. With
limited car facilities, the govern
ment succeeded in a satisfactory
manner in supplying the country's
transportation needs.
Notwithstanding the roseate pre-
dictions made by the railroads in
their million dollar advertising
campaign, and the promises of i'm
proved service, within a week after
| the roads had gone back to Wall
street the large eastern roads had
placed embargoes. One embargo in
yites another, and the endless chain
continued until practically every
important road east of st. Louis
| had one or more embargoeS oper-
ating on April /.
If this condition continues for
any length Of time, the result will
| be disastrous. Manufacturers, un-
able to secure raw materials of ship
finished products, will be forced to
close factories. This will result in
an increase of unemployment. Rail
roads, not moving cars, will sus-
mend workers. Merchants unable
to secure merchandise, will increase
prices, adding to the staggering
cost of living problem.
But one of two purposes can ami
mate railway managers. They seek
to bring about business stagnation
and paralysis, to destroy the morale
of the workers and thus punish
them for manifesting a little indie
pendence, or to force back on to
their respective lines traffic that
was diverted during the period OF
government administration.
Under federal control the roads
were operated as a unit system.
The nurpose was to eXpeditiously
and economically distribute COM
merce. The result was that, some
roads lost valuable traffic, while
other lines, less popular, were used
to advantage.
Now. under competitive condl-
tions. the interests Of the railroads
are made paramount to the puohc
good. No consideration is given 10
the rights or needs of shippers. Ihe
lnolicv is, as has been expressed by
western railroad manager, Il. M
Davis. of the Great Northern, TO
cot all the revenue we can for the
company"
The public is slowly but surely
awakening to the fact that private
control of transportation is not IN
tho interest of the public. The
frat establishment came with the
embargoes against freight. Ine
next will come when rates are IN
oroosed Because Congress was re-
oroort 70 the welfare of the people
+hev are to suffer in decreased
sorv;ce higher cost and expensive
ana exasperating delays that VIII
eventually result in the demoraiiAa-