Webster City freeman. [volume] (Webster City, Hamilton County, Iowa) 1884-1946, 1920-06-07

during government operation amount to
over 81, OOO, 900, 600 a year.
1t is, so apparent that railroads must
be made to pay returnes to their own
ers-the same as all other business en-
|terprises-tl at congress recognized that
fact by passing a law to compel the
fixing of rates Oh a basis that will
yield six per cent dividends to invest
|ors in railroad securities. The al
vances that have already been made
government operation have only
been sufficient to provide revenues to
meet the increased cost OF materials
and coal used by the carriers: The
interstate commerce commission is at
the present time determining how much
increase in freight rates must be
granted to provide for the increased
labor costs made under government ad-
ministratiOn. The railroads estimate
that the railroad freight increase will
need to average % per cent over the
country.
At the same time, the new railroad
labor board, appointed by the presi-
dent, is considering demands from the
railroad employees for another In
crease in wages which would amount to
another billion dollars a year in the
railroad payrolls.
The railroad br%otherhoods say that
this is necessary i'll order that the
wage worker can catch up with the
increased cost Of living. j.
But if the billion dollars increase is
granted then the railroads themselves
must have another billion dollars. And
when that occurs the added transporta-
ton costs will supposedly, affect the
cost Of living Of the railroad men, and
they will ask for other increases in
their wages. S.
Some of the more conservative labor
leaders like Warren s.. Stone, of the
brotherhood of Engineers, have, been
trying to make their radical colleagues
see that the continuation of such a
vicious circle Of increased wages,
which naturally is followed by increas-
ed prices to the public to meet the
wage increases, can have no other eff
feet than to continue to raise the cost
of living.
Evidently the method to a better con
.dition of things within the country
must be met by the public itself.
Human beings or new machinery must
effect increased production If the old
U. s. A.. is to get back onto its feet.
For it is as plain as the Ose on ones
face that decreased production, short
|cr hours and more pay are getting us
nowhere"
1t is this vicious circle that is serving
to keep millions of people h%Ot-fOOting
the treadmill.
Quite a number Of the presidential
candidates are predicating their hopes
for success on their arguments for
more efficient methods for the conduct
of government business. Some Of them
are explaining the proposed budget
system" which is a plan that was urg-
ed during the administration of former
President Taft, who pointed out to un-
willing congresses made up of majori-
ties at different times of both the Re-
publican and Democratic parties, that
a budget system would determine the
exact needs OF the government, there
by enabling congress to provide funds
enough for carrying on the public
business. 1t is urged that the system
now in operation has resulted in count
less Implications of bureaus, and that
many Of them should be abolished.
There is no question but shat this is
the state of affairs in Washington T;
land If the budget system would point
its accusing finger at the different
duplicate organizations it would serve
to show the uselessness Of many of
them.