The Morning Tulsa daily world. [volume] (Tulsa, Okla.) 1919-1927, 1920-07-22
THE RAILROAD SITUATION.

The wage award Of the railroad labor board.
even though It be cheerfuy accepted by the
railway union. does not mark the passing OF n
serious crisis but simply accentuates that crisis
II brings the raiiraod problem no nearer So
luton than It was prior to that award. After
the labor leaders satisfied there remains
to be met the stern and unacceptable necessities
of tho railroad administrators.
The railroads, under existing wage
scales. were unable to meet their fixed charges
and at the time find means for increasing
their facilities and replacing worn out equip
ment. with the fixed charges enormously in
creased II at once becomes apparent that the
difficulties OF the managements have been in
creased; that these difficulties must be over
come II the roads are to be adequately adapted
to tho demands made on them by commerce
and industry.
The outstanding fact that has stared the pub
lie In the face for years, during which tims
transportation has become more and more in
efficient lsyag, as y result, tremendous toll ON
the consuming public In various ways, such
delayed shipments, congestion at one point and
positive famine at another is the necessity OF
providing a greater income for the railroad
properties.
/. is not profitable at this time to reopen
tho old. old controversy concerning watered
stock and over-capit alization, Granted Instantly
all that may be said In that respect. and the
fact remains that there is not a railroad prop
erty today OF major influence that is ovcr-capi-
talized on its present opportunities and obliga-
tions to the general public. what the public has
to consider what II must consider now is which
Ia the most proftabe--to evade the issue
through cowardice and by straving the trans
portation companies pay enormously more in
loss at the bunghole than can possibly be saved
at the spicket, or by permitting at once the
necessary increase In all rates, fix a standard
Of efficiency and service that forcing through
government regulation the companies to live
spuarcly Up to. Will prove "a profitable invest =
ment and positive sedative in tranqunizing
thu entire industrial and commercial fabric.
That, we think, is fair statement OF the
problem. Nor will anything substantial be
gained through delay in doing this practical
and necessary thing, For eventually after losses
that can only be estimated and worry that can
not be estimated the problem win stiu stand
there to be met and met In the only possible
way.
II is automatic that can fairly be de-
termined only by measuring Il against the ar.
tiee or service purchased. Thus it is easily dem.
onstfateu that freight rate OF even $40 ton
where the service 10 prompt and adequate In
all respects, may be much more economical
than freight rate of SIS ton where the serv.
ice is uncertain and facilities so inadequate al
to permit an enormous loss to both consigne,
and tonsignor.
What the American public needs-and IL
needs are at one with its wants once the matte
is fairly anaiyzed-is "a transportation seryic
That is TO say, transportation service that cal
supply the cars the tracks, the terminal facili
ties and the human element necessary to NOV
with alacrity and reasonable certainty the ma
tons products from point to point
THIS be had under existing condition
only through an increase I'm railroad rates tina