New-York tribune., 1920-03-01

Ofnciais OF the railroads yesterday
expressed themselves as hopeful over
the return of tho roads TO the control
of their owners. They asserted that
the next two years will determine the
success or failure Of the constructive
legislation under which the roads are
to operate.
"Thc new law provides kind OF ref
crendum In which the public will de-
justified in investing Its money in rail
roads," said julius Kruttschnitt, chair
man of the executive committee Of the
Southern Pacific. Other officials as
serted that IL the public finds reason
to support the roads financially, it will
be the beginning Of the greatest era
of railroad construction the country
ever has witnessed.
Opinions expressed by the heads OF
some Sf the roads are:
Julius Kruttschnitt, chairman OF the
executive committee OF the Southern
Pacific"I feel very hopeful. This is
the first piece of constructive legisla-
tion Congress has passed in the his
tory OF railroading. AS everything is
placed in the hands of commission,
which, after two years is to use .ts
judgment as TO rates. the future OF the
railroads will depend largely upon tho
acts of this commission. The pubic
Will be the judge. therefore, whether
the law is success. II the pubic,
guided by the rulings of the commits
sion. feels justified in putting its hands
in its pockets and investing capital in
the roads then the law can be said to
be q success. If it refuses TO invest.
the whole question will have to be
gone over again. 1t is u kind of
referendum in which the public will
show its sentiments either by invest
ing or refusing to invest"
Private Control Bcst-Undcrwood
+. d. Underwood, president Of the
Erie Railroad: Taking the lines by the
government for. war purposes was
wise and necessary measure-~the only
safe course. Now that war necessities
are past, the verdict Of the people, as
expressed through their representa-
tives, is that private control IL best
for all-thc public, the owners and the
army of railroaders who carry on the
work.
ut is proven that governmental owner
hip or control of an ordinary business
undertaking blights il. Governments
are to protect the people from invasion.
Irovide proper immigration. tariff and
usury laws, stable currency and con
serve natural resources. Aside from
these and other governmental functions
governments should not Interfere with
lawfully conducted commercial enter
prises.
1--WE can now take up our tasksto
serve we'll the public, whose patronage
gains us a livelihood; to make of our
selves more useful, rs We are now
recognized an essential, part of the
whole people; TO avoid strife that re-
acts unfaVorabiy on all concerned; TO
keep "a cool and deliberate watch on
such of our actions as affect the public
welfare, and 10 win back tho traffic ard
prestige held by the Erie Railroad
prior to war conditions. which diverted
both from their former channels
Responsibility With Commerce Body
Samuel Rea. president of the Penn
sylvania Railroad-'W will do all in
our power to make the law decidedly
constructive measure in practice and
beneficial to the public, the employees
and the owners of railroad securities.
But the main sponsibilty for its sue
cess rests on the Interstate Commerce
CcmmI sion in fixing valuation of the
railroads, in having liberal views on
railroad consultations and, above all,
in assuring that railroad credit is kept
so sound through reasonable earnings
that new capital for the expansion viii
be available at all times and that rail
road expansion can precede business
demands and its lack not be an obstacle
to future progress.
at will be great pleasure to get
down to the important business of Civ
ing the public a reliable transportation
service, and we rely on the hearty Co
operation OF the owners and employc
0 the Fennsy vania system to ms ntan
its past standards of efficiency, cour-
tesy and reliable investment return
Last night President Rea gave out a
statement to employees which said:
"Efectivc with the return of the rail
roads to their owners for operation on
March l, the lines of the Pennsylvania
system have been divided into four
operating regions to facilitate and en-
courage closer and frecr contact at all
times with the employees and the pub
lie
Meet Demands Of Country
"All efforts must be devoted to meet
ing the demands of the country, but, as
result Of war conditions and the
crisis through which the nation has
passed, the property is returned TO its
own management with its roadbed and
equipment below its usual standard
Further. our facilities have not kept
pace with the growth of industry, and
until additional cars. locomotives,
tracks and terminals can be provided
we must utilize the present facilities TO
the fullest possible extent. For some
time and for these reasons the service
rendered cannot fully meet public re-
quireme nts. However, it is hoped that
every one who requires transportation
o tac Pennsylvania Railroad system
either freight or passenger, will see
constant Improvement Our future sue
cess depends upon our ability to COM
mand and retain the confidence and
operation Of the public. which we can
have only if we fully meet all our oo-
legations and conscientiously perform
our every duty.
I'm our own organization the long
ing for a return to the Pennsylvania
standard of work and service is ap-
m ntIo -