Evening star., 1921-10-08
Editorial Digest
Grouping the Railroads.


This country Is about to engage in
one of the greatest railroad debates
in its history" announces the Phila-
delphia Public Ledger independently.
And this verbal tournament is opened
by the editors of the country In their
discussion of the Interstate Commerce
Commissions proposed merger OF
great competitive systems. There
are many editorial writer's who think.
with the Ledger. that debate is likely
to be all that will come of the pro-
posals for many a day" Acceptance
Of the plan In principle depends, In
on the extent to which 1t preserves
| the competition and initiative which.
they hold. Is essential to efficient rail-
road operation. But the press as a
whole regards the commissions re-
port as step in the right direction,
and editorial discussion thus far has
developed little opposition and con-
siderable strong support.
The proposed grouping impresses
the New York Globe Undependent) }
as "one further step in the formation
OF railroad policy which this coun-
try has never consciously Defined" a
step which the Brooklyn Eagle (inde-
|
doubtedly "a move in the right direc-
tion, resulting, as the paper believes
It will. In the strengthening Of weak
lines. curtailment Of waste, and the
coordination which makes for in.
creased efficiency and more adequate
service"
As the Pittsburgh Gazette-Times
lrepublican) sees it. the Interstate
Commerce Commission, under the au-
monty or the transportation act of
1920, is now seeking to correct the
mistake Of standing against logical
probably be less desirable transpor-
tation policy than would have been
developed by the roads themselves,
since the assignments will be made
more or less arbitrarily by q power
whose viewpoint rarely 10 that Of the
q high state OF efficiency" The
process proposed, the Louisville Cour-
ier-Journal (democratic) thinks.
would throw upon the owners Of the
best railroads the burdens Of the
others. and gratuitously bestow upon
benefits which years Of careful man
agement had brought"
- OF course. the Chicago News (inde.
pendenD comedies. this policy in
wolves temporary sacrifice on the
part of the roads called upon to as
sist STAGGERING comrades" but it
partial students of Transportation
problems that this sacrifice is un-
avoidable and that in the long run
consolidation will prove beneficial to
all concerned" Further, the BaIti-
more American (republican) adds,
"the idea has been accepted In prin-
ciple by the roads"
While "the broader interests of the
public demand first consideration" In
any plan of reorganization, the New
York Herald independently holds
that at the same time "the need for
encouraging initiative and farsight.
edness among railroad managers can.
not be ignored" and since American
railroads. as they exist at present.
"are the work Of personal foresight,
enterprise. genius and daring, the
Chicago Journal (democratic) insists
that lin any plans for the future
great effort should be made to retain
the individual Initiative and enter
prise which accomplished such won
ders." To this end. the Philadelphia
Bulletin independent republican,
feels that 'the processes Of voluntary
association. guarded by whatever Su-
pervision may be required to prevent
results than arbitrary governmental
apportionment Of territory"
Government operation of the rail-
roads. the Asheville Timee (independ-
enD says. demonstrated to the coun-
try that for their own good the rail-
way lines should be forced to COM
bine wherever possible and that the
economies and eff1ciencies Of united
management should be employed"
and while the government plan will
undoubtedly meet with strong oppo-
sition in many quarters" such action
is absolutely necessary unless "the
railroads are to continue in their
present pauperized condition"