The evening herald. [volume] (Albuquerque, New Mexico) 1914-1922, 1920-07-02


The federal board for vocational
education should be made a part Of
the war risk insurance bureau, In or
der that the task may he treated as
n whole, and this machinery of pro-
lection and assistance must receive
every aid of law and appropriation
necessary TO full and effective oper-
alton,
We believe that no higher or more
valued privilege can be afforded TO
an American citizen thar to become
"A free holder In the soil of the United
States n to that end we pledge our
party to the enactment of soldier
settlements aud home aid legislation.
which will AFFORD to the men who
fought for America the opportunity
to become land aud home owners
under conditions anording genuine
government assistance unencumbered
by needless difficulties Of red tape or
advance financial investment.
THE RAILROADS.
The railroads were subjected Ia
federal control as n war measure
without other idea than the swift
transport Of troops, munitions and
supplies. when human life and ma
tional hopes wcre at stake. profits
could not be considered and were not.
Federal operation, however, was
marked by an intelligence and eff
cheney that mlnimized loss and re-
suited In many and marked reforms.
The equipment taken oVcr was not
only grossly inadequate, but shame
fully ontworn, Unification practices
ovcrcume these initial handlcaps and
provided additions. bcttermcnts and
improvements. Economics enabled
operation without the rate raises that
private control would have found nee
cssary and labor was treated with an
exact Justice that secured the en-
thusiastic corporation that victory
demanded. The fundamental purpose
of federal control Mhs achieved fully
and splendidly and at far less cost
To the tax payers than would have
been the case undcr private operation.
Investments In railroad properties
were not only saved by government
operation hut government manage
ment returned these properties vastly
improved In every physical and eNecu-
tive detail. A great task was greatly
discharged.
The presidents recommendation Of
return to private ownership CAV the
republican majority n fun year In
which t. enact he necessary legisla-
ton. The house took sis months to
formulate Its ideas and another six
months was consumed by the repuh-
licun cnate in equally vague debate.
As u the Esch-Cummins
bill went to the president In the clos
ing hours OF congress, n he was
forced to IA choice between the chaos
OF n veto. and acquioscencc in the
measure submitted. however grave
may have been his objections to It..
There should he a fair and COM
plete test OF the law until careful and
mature action by congress may cure
It's defects. and insure "A thoroughly
effective transportation system under
private ownership without govern
ment subsidy without the expense OF
taxpayers Of the COUNTRY.
IMPROVED HIGHWAYS.
Improved highways are OF vital inn
portance not only to commerce and
Industry but also TO agricultural and
rural life. The federal road act OF
1916, enacted by a democratic con
gress, represented the first systematic
effort of the government to insure the
building Of an adequate system OF
roads in this country, The act as
amended. has resulted In placing the
movement for improved highways on
u progressive and substantial basis In
every state In the union and In bring
ing under actual construction more
than $4,000 miles OF roads suited 70
the traffic needs OF The communities
in which they are located.
We favor u continuance of the
present federal aid plan under exist
ing federal and state agencies amend
ing so rs to include as one of the
elements In determining the ratio, In
which the several states shall be en-
titled to share In the fund, the area
OF any public lands therein.
Inasmuch as tho postal service has
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