The evening herald. [volume] (Albuquerque, New Mexico) 1914-1922, 1920-06-07
THE TRANSPORTATION
NEEDS OF THE COUNTRY
A Statement by Howard Elliott, Chairman Of Sub. Committee Of
the General Rate Committee Of the Association OF Railway
Executives, Before the Interstate Commerce Commits
sion, Monday, May "a, 1920

The people have Just declared IN
the new transportation act that they
desire private ownership and opera
ton % III railroads. with govern
mental regulation, protection and m
couragement. Under these conditions
enough To meet an obligations n
nave sufficient credit to sustain them
In conf petition with other forms OF in
duHtry into which people put thcic
time, brains, energ and money.
The railroads are now working I'M
der the new act and trying hard To
improve the difficult. arer-the-war
conditions that confront an industry.
Team Work NesSicl to SuctE'cd.
To make a success OF his new plan
and to furnish tho transportation
needed. will require much patience,
forbearance. courage nnd the best OF
team work hy all. with full assent To
the fact that the roads must have ade-
quntc revenue II they are To survive
as going concerns and " the decision
of the people for private ownership
and operation is To- be effective.
The owners ana managers NJ the
railroads realize kcenly their rcspou
sihiity and u ~ their earnest wish TO
cooperate heartily with the state and
national authorities, the public and
the employees and To keep the Amcri-
can railroads ready TO serve and equal
~ WV - NNAA may Wv fANAA hhHNfNN
them.
The United states has now "a greater
opportunity than ever before iu is
history tu serve It's own people and the
world well. ana to overcome promptly
the serious world conditions resulting
from the war.
An adequate rail transportation sys-
tenn h essential n the country b. to
ayail itself Of that great opportunity
u protect IN" present and future
welfare Of an the people.
Under his new act there are two
very pressing questions now under
discussion. the prompt and proper so-
luton OF which will mean much to
the present ana future agricultural.
Industrial and social progress of the
United States.
Wages aud Rate the Pressing
Questions.
Onc relates 10 the fair adjustment
nj wages 20 hoe received hy the . 900.
600 or more men who maintain. OPP
crate and manage the railroads Of the
country.
The other relates To the fair com
"pensation to the railroads so that thvN
Will r%cceiy" enough To pay these far
age al other costs. taxes and furt,
returns on the properties ~ Will in
duce the individual investor 60 put
part Of his van each year INTO thc
transportation business. so that
capacity Of the roads Will grow u lit
tie faster than tho country and per
init the United States TO continue its
forward march.
The people. ~ this new act. have
authorized nine men 10 mak "a de-
ciHiOn as 10 the first great question.
which decision. however can nuly bc-
come effective through tho force ~
uubiic opinion. The newly created Ia
hor board has now before 10 requests
. for Increases in my mmnNmflmm In
more than $1,000. 00U. 900 u ear.
The interstate commits
ZION OF eight men twith three APP
pointces not vet COnnrmcd1 has been
given the power aud responsibility nr
] determining the second great uucs-
tion which Involves obtaining Tor thr
railroads Tor the services they render
not less than fi017 .OUO. 600 Of added
revenue pct year IL the railroads arc
10 he sustained. This sum is neccs-
sary 90 meet he present basis OF
wages. costs. Interest aud u sum for
dividends uud improvements. and does
not include any part Of tho $1,000,
600. 600 per auuum nov under con
alteration BY the labor board
This present conference is being
held 20 ~ to bring The interstate
commerce commission from the rem
roseniaiVes Of H." railroads. of the
shippers and from other Interested
parties. All available Information so hs
to help the commission under the
terms Of the new law to reach "a
prompt and wise decision about the
revenue question.
This Prossrdinr Not the Old style
Rate CAS-.
This proceeding iH not the old fash
Toned rate case. where one rrpup Of
men is ~ iuE To obtain an Increase ln
rates against the protests OF other
groups of men but 1t H. a meeting
Tor the purpose 81 cooperating Ia "A
frondly spirit az American citizens. In
order y q the viii Of the people az