Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1920-06-09

wants OF the government. has been
passed 'nt Il minimum wage bill for
all persons IN government employ has
passed both houses. We have been
Obliged TO restore the army and navy
TO peace footing. II work as diff
hcuit as II was necessary. We have
measures. the army and navy pay.
bill and the law for the rcorGaniza-
Lon OF the army on peace basis.
Two OF the mos; important acts OF
any period, the shipping act for the
upbu!ld!nS OF the American marine
aud the settlement of the affairs OF
the shipping Board and the law
establishing the Budget. Il great
measure OF economy and sound iinan-
c!al administration, are conspicuous
as our latest achievements.
] have touched upon this matter
OF prices and the high cost of living
toSausc II is altogether the most i'm
portant domestic question now be-
ihe Republican party should address
Itself without delay In every direc-
ton where help is possible.
Public Protected In Rnilrond Act
There is, however. one measure
which cannot be passed over. single
which in any period would be sum
cient to distinguish Congress as
one OF hi6h accomplishment. This
IS the Railroad Act. For six months
s.,
mittccS whore no party line was
drawn, toilcd day after day upon this
most intricate of problems. There
was much serious debate in both
senate and House and then the bill.
signed by the President. became law
No uoubt time and experience Will
show that improvements in the act
can be made. but In the main il Is a
remarkable piece OF legislation and
in general principles Is entirely
sound, and nothing could be more un-
iair than TO criticize the present own
crs contcnding with the legacy of
iHiSnanagement, waste and confusion
bcqncathcd by the government when
II returned the roads only three
months ago. This act declares :, ma
t!onal policy and, so far as any law
can DO II, establishes that policy as
a rule OF action. The policy en-
bodied in the biIl comedies a, the out
set mat /; Is Of course impossible to
return to the old system -. lack Of
system in tho management OF rail-
roads; they must hcnccforth be uR-
der thorough government supervision
ana also the government must have
over them large measure of con-
troI. The transportation system of
the country can no longer be suffered
10 continue without such supervision
ana control. But the policy also
represents the principle that the gov
. ElNcnt must not assume the owner
snip OF the railroads. Their operation
ana management must be left In priv
''tc ownership Tnc phrase govern
i9cnt ownership means not only that
The government Shall own the rail-
ioaGs nn also. II - 10 he feared. that
th"Sr VINO run the railroads shall own
IN" government General govern
mcnt' ownership under our political
system would inevitably bring about
'hc mastery OF the government by
those VINO operate the machinery OF
transportation or Of any other in
duStr!"S which come into government
possession. The rights OF the gem
era! public, for whom all industries
exist. would disappear under this
semen" and nothing would be left to
the people except the duty Of paving
taxes TO supnor, The roads. That is a
very pcrrlous position for rcprcsen-
tativc democracy.
Government. Ownership Tested.
Moreover. in the United States
soNorrm"nt ownership wherever an
pied 30 an Industry, whether IL in
E"iv"S transportation or ,clcEraphic