The Birmingham age-herald., 1920-10-12
M B N, , w O M E N
 A NE T H IN G s

service" I almost hate to use the ex pression. for it has become in too man, instances but a word of cant, and lightly used for the purpose of camouflage. Nsss
 But in spite of it's degradation i stands for something real, and ought tf be lifted out of the mire into which i has fallen. I am thinking of it now from a transportation standpoint, for it'' the acid test of railroading.
 s's
 It was President Sproule of the South ern Pacific Company, who. to my mind hit the nail on the head, when, in his open letter to officers and employees said, We should now realize that the war period with it's agtations, uncer- tainties and perplexities being over, the country looks to each of us to do his duty toward restoring our standard oi service"
 Now this has the right ring. There is no lamenting the past but call to the future. There has been too much apolo- gizing and too little performing among some officials. The hour has come for the railroad executives to take the bit iu their teeth and show the public that they can pull the load The people demand it
 
 Presidents and general managers and superintendents had better clean out all the dead wood and get in shape com pact and vigilant organization of men who realize their responsibilities and are willing to make good in spite of the numerous difficulties they are called upon to face. Any man with common sense knows that it's herculean task they are set to do and that grit and grace are needed.
 It is too soon for anyone to speak with authority on the subject of the efficiency of the railroads under private ownership as compared with their efficiency under government ownership, for the experi- ment under Uncle Sam was too hur- riedly taken and too soon relinquished to furnish the data necessary, and then we are too near the taking over and the turning back to interpret them clearly or judcially.
 But one thing is sure, the public ir it's brief on the case have gone fai enough to be unwilling to permit the pri- vate owners to return without a stiff fight to pre-war conditions. The people expect that under private ownership the railroads shall be run on the basis of 8 sound organization and effective work with proper economies and reasonable service. This modicum is indicated ir the transportation act of 1920, to whict all railroads are now subject.
 I am sorry for the railroad executive who hopes to bridge the gulf between government and private control by using his old-fashioned spectacles and getting his focus on the days when railroads had free hand to do as they please. and the public 'be damned" Much pain and trouble will come before his vision if ht clings to them, for we have passed inti la new era. I know some will say "there is no sich animar' in the railroad worlt today. But his tracks have been seen or the right of way, and shippers are ou gunning for it.
 Gone ought to be the old way of own ing city councils and corrupting fegisla' lures. The wise transportation head. will state their case fairly and fully ant let the public pass on it's merits. This will be wisdom on the part of execu lives, for it will kill railroad batting. 4 few high-priced lobbyists may lose theil jobs. few venal politicians may have to go to work. but the political atmos 1 phere will be cleared and the people will get square deal.
 I am not prophesying the millennium in the railroad world, for the big ques tion before the American people is al present one of transportation, and it will not be solved by throwing brickbats a ,, the men who operate the railroads. They have tremendous task to perform ant they need all the help that our wises and best thinkers can give to it's propel solution. It will take more than ont Moses to lead them out of the wilder ness. They realize this and therefore gether and have set up certain stand ards of efficiency of operation for tho railways as a whole. This is the frs time any such collective action wal taken by them. It is move in the righ direction.
 The roads having been permitted to in crease passenger and freight rates VII face an outraged public if they fail tt give service. The rates were increased with the object of enabling them to mee' their increased costs, and the wages ol the employees were raised to enable then to fare better under the high cost of liv. ing But the raises to both will come out of the public and it has the right to demand diligence on the part Of tho workers and service from the roads.
 The railroad problem is one whict should be freed from party politics. and now that the roads are back in the hands of the private owners, some think that the danger of their becoming the foot ball of the party in power under gov ernment operation or Ownership is passed; but there is still a chance that they may fall under the domination of great groups who care nothing for toe badge of their party so long as they