Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1920-09-26
From Other Viewpoints
Education Through Government Control
BY wM. sPnouLE,
President OF the Southern Pncinc Connnny

During the war period the railroads were
taken over by the government war !nst-u-
ment They have come back TO their ownass
under conditions that are not without cmhar-
rassnent, but yet full OF hope There is
ground for belief that the railroads situation
ID Frightening Several factors enter into this
belief.
The past policy of the people which resulted
in repressive regulation has. in the iigh, of
experience. given way to measures that are de-
signed reasonably to promote the weil-being
OF tho roads.
The Interstate Commerce Commission has
been empowered to give such aid ny means of
rates may enable them to meet their ex-
penses and other obligations.
AS to expenses. Congress created the Rail-
road wage Board with the purpose Of reaching
such adjustment will represent the interests
Of the roads the men on the roads. and the
public at the samo time
Regulation governing the railroads since
the Interstate Commerce Act took effect in
1887 has been responsive to the public opinion
as expressed through the Federal and State
legislatures from time 10 time i much OF IT
was desirable in the public interests including
me railroads But far more OF il was rcspon-
sive to popular opinion that was in error he
cause it was not properly informed.
Large business Institutions. whether they
be railroads or financial, Industrial are like
wholesome people; they dislike discussions
that are controversial. for the merely contro-
versial seldom gets anywhere. Discussions
without destination are futile. 1t seemed to be
only the drift OF events that could bring the
public TO knowledge OF the truth.
The outbreak Of the war in Europe in 1914
followed by our entry into the in 1917 dis
tE!bed the course of every activity, disturbing
most OF AL the railroads. because il was a par
OF the activities OF both peace and war The
conditions resulting brought the railroad sit
uation quickly to crisis and in that crisis
the government took control OF the operation
OF the roads making them an instrument OF
the war.
The control OF operation was at once placed
in the hands OF government as completely as
x the government owned the roads The sys-
tenn OF accounting had for many years been
that prescribed by the Interstate Commerce
Commission followed generally by the State
the supervision OF the commissions. The rate,
rules and practices. both for freight nd pas
scngcrs. had been under regulations laid down
by the law and the commissions The essen
tla!s Of operation down to the detailed inspec-
ton OF the working conditions OF every loco
motive had heen under the scrutiny Of tho
Interstate Commerce Commission and the
States
All these were for years under active regula-
ton and supervision hut finally. on January l.
1913, when tho government took command Of
the railroads.. officers and mon, supplies and
materials. roadbcd. tracks and structures
shops engines and rolling stock: water and
fuel, and everything also that pertained to the
operation OF the railroads from the general
manager to tho ak el-greasc, come at un-
der the direct and domincnt control. Tho
Masters Voice" was the voice of Uncle Sam.
During the twenty-five months OF the war
control the roads. their accounts. their reve-
MUGS and their payrolls were the care OF tho
government. The government thus gained an
insight into railroad management and opera
ton that probably will compensate the stock
holders for AL the anx!ctics TO which they
have been subjected. Government control
turned in spotlight upon the difficulties OF the
railroads officers OF government wero con-
frontcd with those difficulties practical
matter which never could have happened un-
der othor ,oircumst anccs, and tho officers of
government made these difficulties known Il