McNairy County independent. (Selmer, McNairy County, Tenn.) 1902-1969, 1921-10-28

1t will thus be noted that during
the years when other industries were
making very large profits, when the
prices OF farm products and the wages
OF labor were soaring to unheard OF
heights, the earnings upon railroad in
yestment in the United States were
held within very marrow limits and
that they have. during the past four
years. progressively declined.
Roads Handicapped More Than Other
Dusiness.
The railroads are responsible to the
public for providing adequate trans
portation.
Their charges are limited BY pub.
10 authority, and they are in very
large respects, notably Tor labor"
compelled to spend money on q basis
fixed by pubic authority. The margin
within which they are permitted to
earn return upon their investment
q to offer inducements to attract new
capital for extensions and betterments
il extremely limited.
However much the railroads might
desire, therefore, to reduce their
charges In times Of depression, It Will
be perceived that the limisations sur
rounding their action do not permit
them to give effect 70 broad and elias
tic policies which might very properly
govern other lines Of business not
thus restricted.
II has been urged upon the railroads
that 4 reduction u rates will stimulate
traffic and that increased traffic VIII
protect the csrrisrs from the los Ds Incl.
road arrangements cannot disguise frem
Econjectural and that an adverse result of
,nly 70 the railroads, but the public
whose supreme need Is adequate trans
consequently the railroad arrangements
eannot fssl justified IN placing these i-
welfare, at the hazard Of such an experts
msnt based solely upon such . con-
lecture. II
Farmers Especially Nssd Lower Rates.
It u evident, however. that existing
transportation charges bear In many cases
. disproportionate relationship to the
prices ct which commodities can be sola
In the market and that existing labor
and other costs Of transportation thus Inn
posed upon industry and agrtculture
ssasrslly hHrdsn greater than they
should bear. This + especially true g
are feeling sensitive to and sympathstic
with the distressing situation and desire
TO ~ every hing TO asgist IN relieving
furnish the transportati alto '"s which ' the Il
public must have.
cases. are plyi1g 20 csnts an hour Tor
working aionxsids the railroads and can
An hour. The railroads OF the country
paid, IN 1920. . total q considerably over
However desirable II, may be to pay this
or that schedule Of wages. It ID obvious
that 1t cannot be paid out OF railroa1
the railroads are capable OF meeting such
charges.
The railroads and through them the
people generally. are also hsmpered In
Of working rules and conditions now in,
force. AS heritage from the period OF
Federal control and upheld by the Rail-
TOAD Labor Board.
The conditions are expensive, uneco-
nomic and unnecessary from the point OF
view Of railroad operation. and extreme
" burdensQMe upon the. public, which
Of working conditions prevents the rail-
roads from dealing aguitably with their
labor costs In accordance with rapidly
changing conditions and the great variety
q local eonsiderations which ought to
Ieontrol wages In different parts CT the
country. The railroads are seeking to
have these riies snd working conditions
<bro8zted.
The railroads win seek Reduction in
wages nov proposed by first requesting
the sanction OF the Railroad Labor
Board. Tie railroads win proceed with
Ill possible dispa tch, and as soon as tts
Railroad Labor Board shall have given sts
cal rssuctioa 10 rates viii be put into
Eject