New-York tribune., 1920-01-04

OF a board that the employees would
directly control by a two-thirds ma
jority, and completely control by
reason of political influence.
What the consequence may be of
this class control over transporta-
ton is foreshadowed by the already
liberal increases which labor has Sc
cured through government control
OF railroads and the large additional
advances labor is now seeking.
Private Property
Is Challenged
From tho broad standpoint Of puh.
lie interest 1t seems so obvious as to
be beyond argument that the control
Of this great service Of transporta-
ton should remain in the hands Of
the public and not be delegated to
any selfish class. That mistakes
have been made under previous sys-
TENS of control, or lack Of control.
constitutes no proper argument for
attempting this radical departure
from the assured bounds Of exper-
ience.
On this question Of the socializa-
tion Of railroads and public utilities
we stand to-day in the first line
trenches for the protection Of the
private ownership Of all property.
If this position is lost the whole
line will be seriously threatened.
Men who believe in American in
stitutions, in property rights, in
orderly government, must line up in
1920 in opposition to this attack or
live to regret the day Of their un-
preparedness.
Another factor which we must
consider in connection with any at
tempt at forecast Of the probable
trend of economic movements is that
of the pre-war preparations for in
dustrial expansion, which were the
logical outgrowth Of conditions in
the leading Industrial nations and
which, though necessarily deferred
by the war, will unquestionably play
an important part in worldwide de-
velopment during 1920 and the next
few years. Indeed, it may be that
after, brief period Of readjustment
the world war will be found to have
accelerated the fruition Of these
preparations for expansion.
The United States, Japan and
Germany exemplified perhaps most
completely the industrial develop
ment which characterized the latter
years of the nineteenth century, and
because Of their relative industrial
progress these countries naturally
were looking increasingly for oppor-
tunities to expand, either through
colonization or the enlargement Of
foreign trade and investments. And
as further consequence, toward the
end Of this period, It became neces-
sary also for the surplus capital Of
other countries, which had con-
tributed to this. industrial growth,
to seek opportunities in new areas.
Because Of the unusual economic
pressure in recent years many plans
were formulated for the develop
ment Of transportation in various
parts Of the world. Isolated as they
may appear when viewed singly,
they are more rightly understood
when regarded as5so many express
sions Of a widespread desire to
share in the industrial progress
which comes with the development
Of new countries-the precursors
Of another Of the worlds recurrent
periods Of notable industrial expan-
sion.
The mingling on the battlefields
OF men from distant lands has de-
mutual understanding, and
the hard conditions Of life to which
the soldiers were exposed in the
trenches have fitted many thou
sands Of them for the peculiar tasks
Of pioneering. One effect Of the
war will be tendency to break
down the racial barriers that have
impeded the movement Of people
between countries, and also, in some
the economic barriers.
Up
Undeveloped Areas
It Is fortunate that in recent
years the achievements OF sanitary
engineering in the Panama Canal
zone, Havana, British Guiana and
elsewhere have proved that prac-
tically the whole Of the tropical
countries can be made healthful for
the white race. And, besides, both
in South America an din Africa
altitude largely neutralizes latitude. |
giving climatic conditions compara-
bic to those In the temperate sons. |
The Answ~Snwy<a nv.A - Az AA~