Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1920-05-25
Has Private Opcration Failed?

II was generally understood and candidly
1 admitted by all interests concerned, at the
time the railroads were returned TO their
owners. that the fate of private manage
ment OF the internal transportation system
was on trial for its life. ii that old system
should fail second time. IL was agreed,
then permanent government control OF the
railroads. with possible government owner
ship. inevitable. No railroad official
entertained any doubt about that PROPOSE
ton and no statesman with any vision at
all was in doubt about it,
1t was with all this clearly fixed in their
minds that the railroad owners again UNI
dertook TO meet the transportation needs
oi the United States They knew that they
were being put TO the test. and that criti
cal public would await the results with pro-
found interest. Most men have no taste
for government ownership of the transpor-
tation lines. To embark upon policy OF
that sort is to move decisively in the drcc-
ton OF socialism. system of government
from which the true American nstinctively
shrinkS.
But more important than private rail
road operation Is successful railroad SER
wee. This country not only wants, but de-
mands the movement OF its freight and pas
sengers. II is impatient of delays. 1t rebels
against isolation in the matter of transport
tation, and if the private operators OF the
railroads prove themselves unable to meet
the demands. then the country will easily
reconcile itself to government ownership.
Upor. that point there is no uncertainty
nj all.
4, this moment the railroad executives
o. the country confess their pOwerlesSness
10 handle the business that is offered TO
them with even reasonable dispatch. There
is congestion in practically all traffic cen
tcrs. Terminals are tied up Embargoes
arc in effect everywhere There is not
enough rolling stock to haul the freight
There is not enough labor available TO man
the rolling stock the railroads have. Hun
drcds of millions OF dollars Of American
credit is tied up because of undclivered
merchandise. Disastrous strikes have oc-
Cured and. while they seem to have col
lapscd the fact is that on some important
lines not more than 40 per cent OF the men
arc actually at work
Facing these conditions. the railway
executives appealed to the Interstate Com
mcrce Commission to assume responsibility
for the operation Of the roads. An appeal
was presented to that body for resort
to prorities which, in itself, is an admis-
sion of failure TO move the business The
commission has consented and one of its
members now is virtually director general
of railroads This commissioner now &C.
cupies position very similar to that Occu-
pied by Walker d. Hines prior to March |.
What is the significance Of all this? The
! question is being asked Gravcly i'm many
! quarters. Does il mean that within four
months OF the return OF the railroads. the
transportation system has broken down, and
, that experts who are supposed TO be in
charge of tho properties are unable To deal
with the problem? Can il be possible that
the railroads are again to pass into the
hands Of the government? And ii they do
pass ont OF private control once more will
1t be possible to escape government owner
ship?
The next few weeks doubtless will pro-
vide the answer 10 these questions. Per
hapS order can be evolved from existing
chaos. Perhaps the commission can rescue
! tho private managers from their unfortu-
nate position and give them one more
chance 10 demonstrate T. cir ability to pro-
vide adequate transportation service in this
, country