Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1921-03-22
Saving The Railroads

NNT of the mass OF conflicting theories
some OF them honestly conceived and
others patiently warped by craftsmanship
eventually will come the salvation and re-
habiitation of this nations transportation
system Legislators. inancers ard practical
railroad men are cropping more or less
hlindly for way out of The tangle into
which the railroads have been twisted by
years Of government and State Interference
reaching a disastrou elimination i'm the
period OF outright government operation
during The war. The American people have
confidence in the ability of owners and
workers 10 find solution of the trouble
mat viii put the railroads hack on sound
"""a ana remove the serious impcd imcnt
o! present conditions from business gen
orally. That faith is not shaken by fail
urc TO bring order out Of chaos in tho few
months that have elapsed since The broken
down railroads were turned back to their
private owners. 1t may require several
years before the best workable plan is
evolved hut it will come. In the meantime.
The great mass OF the nation will continue
to set its face sternly against anything even
remotely tending to government control
operation or ownership
IN one days ncws is reflected the diver
Sity Of onin!on-as we'll as the lack thereof
on the railroad situation S. Davies War
held. spokesman for the security holders
presents an elahoratcly worked on, plan OF
CLOS" coordination under strict government
supervision, Glen f.. Plumb of Plumb
plan fame, representing the cmploycs secs
panacra for all railroad i'll in decreased
tariffs and continuance of wartime wages
ihe united states Chamber of Commerce
declares Tor more business methods i'm gov
crhmeAt ana less government; management
oi huS'h"Ss while even Vice President
Coolidge. taking Il page from his chiefs
nook OF glittcring goncralties breaches
iri'ndIy relations between capital and
labor. which is good American doct rine hut
contributes nothing directly to the issue in
hand.
Mr.. Plumb's plan. as voiced here in Rich
mond. may be dismissed briefly as ex marie
decrease III tariffs, let it be admitted
would increase patronage which I'm turn
would mean millions for new equipment
millions that the railroads now cannot com,
mand, while his insistencc upon - main
'cnancc or wages al their present level is
rFcpoSiSrous in view Of the constantly de-
c"casing cost OF living
My. War!eld's suggestion is merely for
VAST P"oilhS OF railway interests under
government supervision doing with tho
sanction OF the law what no, so muny vo,rs
ago the law was az infinite pains 10 forbid
li!s scheme is worthy Of careful cousd-
Grafton, hut. if We mistake not The fatal
""1"c' VIII d" round in that II leads directly
|" "ha' IL pHFports To avoid. II is a step
nearer government operation or ownership
NJ '"hiiihs law was hailed us the
great alternative To government owncrshiD
ih 'hat 1t placed responsibility back on the
H"o"hers oi Tie owners Now Mr. War
held presents his latest ALTERNATIVES do
siGhcd To assist the owners in meeting tho
a Escb
uTc That might be the result but !, is
seriously questioned If the. same end con
hn' d" achieved without a further drnrpiup
oil the railroads toward the whirlpool OF
government domination.
rs We view H. ;hc first great essential
=" re-estahlishmen, OF sound conditions
Is wage reimbursement based on oltcroJ
'''hS '"HiS. from which would flow de-
''''hca 'arihs and increased business That
""oco TO The economies suggested undnr
me Narmold plan, bur possible OF accom-
I'M III without government Interference
woui0 pat the roads back ON n s,tisf,c,n,
Hh"hc'd! footing, attract capital to Them sc
I" SAFE investment, and gradually bring
anou' thei" complete rehabilitation ,ficr
al IN" railroads need only the assurance
ni square deal with less .control" from
Washington and the fory-elght lesser capi-
'hlS l" enable them to cure their own lilo
Ex-kaiscr's private yacht is advertised
Tor sale hut We shall no, bid becaus, az
me unsatisfactory channel in the James
River
wonder how many people who voted for
harding knew that he was standing ON
pl"'iorm Oh Tree tolls for the Panama Canal?
N''''' now Harriet Taylor linton acquired
''' '"'" ina cabinet job ,akcs one out Of
f'''''Ss' evidently she is not a keen observer.
Custom tailors declare men are getting
shabby Rni with $25 suits still retailing