The Carlisle independent., 1920-05-20
THE NATIONAL CAPITAL
lBy J. E. Jonesl
Bowls and Democrats


 people In those early days of which Brer. Shakespeare wrote there was not as much difference in people as now, and if the drama depicted by Theda Bara deeked in her scant cos tune gives us correct line on Cleo patra we will have to assume that the dress making profession was us- ually on strike, and that the cops were not making any arrests for ab- breviated wardrobe effects. But the qualities of the people" were net so varied then as now, for those were the early days when Antony hoisted his glass and commanded: "Fill our bowls once more; lets mock the mid night bell" And Theda Bara leads us to believe that Cleopatra would lift her bowl, and defy midnight till broad daylight.
 Quality in "bowls" excites the Ma tion's politics, and it is said that Mr. Bryan will force a prohibition plank in the National Democratic platform. In consequence he has bourbon democrats squealing with rage that "the shirt of Nessus is up- on me because they do not want pro- hibition in their platform. And they would dunk it if they could. The issue. in the opinion of Democrats at the capital, evidently cannot be side stepped and there is, in consequence, gloom in the "bowls" of the politi- clans.
 Making The Railroads Function There is a determination in official and railway management circles to get the railroads of the country up- to-date. That is the reason why there has been so much talk in Wash ington about a half billion dollar treasury loan to the railroads for the immediate purchase of cars and en- zines in order to relieve the serious equipment shortage. Senator Cum rains convened a conference between the Interstate Commerce Committee of the Senate and Representatives of the leading New York financial insti- tutlons at which expert investment advice was solicited as to the capacity of the market to absorb new railroad securities.
 Telegraph appeals to Washington for more freight cars. coming from farmers, livestock raisers, lumber
 
 interests have been received by Members of Congress, the Interstate Commerce Commission, and the Car Service Commission. This has been supplemented by personal visits of grain and livestock men who have come to Washington from the Mid dle West to personally appeal to. Senator Cumnins, and Chairman Esch of the House Committee The shippers are insistent that the alarm ing shortage of cars. which has ex- isted for a long period, shall be cared for. They say that there will be heavy losses during the coming crop- moving season on account Of a lack of cars to handle their products. At the Washington conference it de- veloped that the turning over of car and locomotive plants for the naanu- lecture of war materials has result ed in q three years shortage Of or ae1s for the new equipment, which is estimated st 225,G00, freight cars l 900 passenger cars and 3,200 loco motives. Railroad executives esti- mate that nearly one-half of these requirements must be met this year. The estimated cost of new equipment needed to make up the total war de- l ficiency is S1,300, 100000, of which the estimated cost of the minimum 1920 requirements is $610,000, ,00O.
 The Railroads and Wall Street | Under the theory of the old-time political campaigners the railroads and Wall Street controlled the coun- try and worked hand in hand There must have been some mistake about this, since now, in their dire need, there is no investment money availa- ble in the great financial districts of the country for the weaker railroads The stronger railroad companies who have placed their orders for $140,- l 000,000 worth of new rolling stock and equipment hvae been warned by the investment bankers that the mar ket will not absorb more than $100,- 100000 additional of their securities. These loans in the market are costing seven and one-half per cent to eight per cent. Of the $500, 100000 fund in the transportation act, only $250,- 100000 is available for new capital ! expenditures, and half of this is need ed for additions and betterments, leaving only $125, 100000 for equip ment. If maturities of weaker roads have to be met from this fund, the balance for equipment will be even less.
 According to information received | by Senator Cummins it appears that the builders of cars and engines will not be able to make any material de- liveries until late in the crop-moving season, and that the bulk of the equip ment will be delivered in 1921.
 The Dye Industry
 That the senate sometimes gets excited very easily was emphasized by the amount of surplus conversa- tion occasioned by the alleged discov- cry that the DuPonts were attempt ing to corner the American dye mar ket, to the exclusion of all future German Competition. It would seem that almost since the age of man be- 1 gan we have been told that the only people in the world who could make