New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1920-05-22
Kicking the Railways


It's latest order shows the Inter
state Commerce Commission is still
suffering from the lack of realism
which has had so much to do with
the break down of the country's
transportation system. The roads
are directed to forward traffic by the
routes most available to expedite it
without regard to the instructions of
shippers or of the carriers from
which received, or to the ownership
of cars. "All rules, regulations and
practices with respect to car serv-
ice" says the order, "are hereby sus-
pended and superseded"
This action is based on the theory,
evolved by the commissioners in the
calm Of their office, that it will tend
to lessen congestion. The object is
one with which not only the public
sympathizes, but especially harassed
and weary railway officials. Stalled
freight does not add to railway in
come. The men who are graphing
practically with the trans ortation
problem wish, above all others, to get
their lines and yards clear. The i'm
plication that they are indifferent to
conditions that mean operating def
cts and have neglected to apply an
obvious remedy would be cruel if not
silly. The paper edict may do no
harm, but it is not likely to do much
good. Not by proclamation is the
blockade to be lifted.
The seat Of the railroads disease
lies deeper than in failure to re-
route traffic The railroads are asked
to make bricks while denied not only
straw but clay. Nominally there is
private operation; actually owners
and operators are tied hand and
foot. They have no control over
their income, for they must get per
mission to alter rates. They have
little control over expenditure, for
wages are fixed not by them but for
them. An infnity of minute regula-
tons destroys the freedom which
must exist if any one is to be held
responsible for results.
For years the Interstate Com
merce Commission has been warned
of the consequences which were Ger
tain if it persisted in it's course. But
political influences have been domi-
nant. The assumption of Washing
ton has been that railroad-phobia SO
prevails that no public officer may
indulge the luxury of fairness. There
has been confscation Of almost
= half of the value of the country s
railroad property. Other prices have
risen nearly 100 per cent, while rail
road securities are off so per cent
SO, relatively, the security owner has
seen rs per cent of his savings take
wings. Of course, other investors
are chary about investing in so risky
business, and the money necessary
for improvements has been unob-
tainable.
To cure congestion and to get gooc
service there must be a psychologist
cal revolution. Otherwise periods
OF congestion will come more ant
more often. They are our railroads
Don't we want them to run? Is this
country SO unintelligent as not tx
realize that during the decades o.
railroad freedom, despite the abuse
marking it, rates went steadily
downward while the quality of tn,
service as steadily improved? Blu
since the passage of the Hepburn
bill rates have gone up and service
has deteriorated. The losses of I'm
fortunate owners of railroad securi
ties have been heavy, but heavier
have been the losses of the public
through the enforced stoppage O.
railway progress.
We have had in the nation the pol
icy by which in New York Hylan
and Hearst would wreck the loca
traction system. 1t is assumed that
when owners lose tie public gains,
whereas loss to either Inevitably
means loss to both. The members