The Hope pioneer., 1921-04-14

IaE dOfE
producer and consumer. A measuring
rod of fair prices will satisfy the coun-
try and give us a business revival to
end all depression and unemployment.
The great interest of both producer
and consumer-indeed, all our indus
trial and commercial life, from agricul-
ture to finance-in the problems of
transportation will find its reflex in
your concern to aid re-establishment,
to restore efficiency, and bring trans
portation cost into helpful relation
ship rather than continue it as him
drance to resumed activities.
Must Cut Rail Rates.
1t is little to be wondered what ill
considered legislation the war strain,
government operation in heedlessness
Of cost, and the conflicting programs,
or the lack of them, for restoration
have brought about most difficult
situation, made doubly difficult by the
low tide of business. All are so inti-
mately related that no improvement
will be permanent until the railways
are operated efficiently at cost with
in that which tho traffic can bear.
If we can have it understood that
congress has no sanction for govern
ment ownership, that congress does
not levy taxes upon the people to
cover deficits in a service which should
be selfsustaining, there will be an
avowed foundation on which to re-
build.
Freight carrying charges have
mounted higher and higher until COM
merce is halted and production dis
couraged. Railway rates and cost of
operation must be reduced.
Labor Must Aid Employer.
Congress may we'll Investigate and
system and the federal regulations are
lacking in helpfulness or hindering in
restrictions. The remaining obstacles
which are the heritage of capitalistic
exploitation, must be removed and la
Dor must join management in under
standing that the public which pays
is the public to be served, and simple
justice is the right and will continue
J for the right of all the people.
Transportation over the highways is
little less important, but the problems
relate to construction and develop
rnent, and deserve your earnest atten-
, tion, because we are laying founda-
tion for long time to come, and the
: creation is very difficult to visualize
in its great possibilities.
The highways are not only feeders to
the railroads and afford relief from
their local burdens, they are actually
lines of motor traffic in interstate com.
. merce. They are the smaller arteries
. of the larger portion of our commerce,
and the motorcar has become an in.
dispensable instrument in our political,
social and industrial life.
Warns Of Wasted Efforts.
There is begun new era in high.
way construction, the outlay for which
runs far into hundreds of millions OF
) dollars. Bond issues by road districts
: counties, and states mount to enor.
, nous figures, and the country is fac.
ing such an outlay that it is vital that
every effort shall be directed against
| wasted effort and unjustifiable expen.
2 diture.
Federal Aid Curb Asked.
The laws governing federal aid
should be amended and strengthened
!. The federal agency of administration
/. . should be elevated to the Importance
= and vested with authority comparable
to the work before it, and congress
ought to prescribe conditions to fed
. :. eral appropriations which will necessi
tate consistent program of uniform
- ity which will justify the federal out
+ lay.
} Tonnage Development Urged.
/ Linked with rail and highway is the
problem of water transportation-in
land, coastwise and transoceanic it is
not possible on this occasion to suggest
to congress the additional legislation
= needful to meet the aspirations of our
. people for merchant marine. In the
! emergency of war we have construct
a ed a tonnage equaling our largest ex
;, pectatlons. Its war cost must be dis
counted to the actual values of peace
4 and the large difference charged to the
;. war emergency, and the pressing task
} is to turn our assets in tonnage to an
n agency of commerce.
l. Big Merchant Marine Promised.
1t is not necessary to say to con-
gress, but have thought this to be a
t befitting occasion to give notice that
l. the United States means to establish
r and maintain great merchant marine
= Our differences of opinion as to a
!. IOAASJ VI OPOuAuiA6 AdtO UOCA 1ClAOt'
t. ed by the outstanding fact of our hav
o ing builded. If the intelligent and eff
l. ficient administration under the exist
e ing laws makes established service i'm
e possible, the executive will promptly
). report to you. Manifestly If our laws
e governing American activities on the
q seas are such as to give advantage tc
f those who compete with us for the
l. carrying of our own cargoes and those
l. which ought naturally come in Amer
l. fcan bottoms through trade exchanges
II then the spirit of American fair play
e will assert itself to give American car
l. riers their equality Of opportunity
8 This republic can never realize its
J. righteous aspirations in commerce, can
g never be worthy the traditions of the
l. early days of the expanding republic
e until the millions of tons of shipping