The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1921-03-30
RAIL PROBLEMS
ARE TAKEN UP
BY BY us. us CABINET
Harding and Advisers Discuss
Situation at Length in a
- Meeting
MUCH DISSATISFACTION
Roads Ask Increased Earnings,
Shippers Lower Rates, Work.
ers More Pay
III DISSATISFACTION

Washington, March 30.-A compre-
hensive study Of American railway
conditions has begun by the admins
tration with q view to formulation of
a definite program for railway reha-
bilitation.
For more than an hour President
Harding discussed the problem with
his cabinet, and later it was announc-
ed he would call into consultation
within the next few days the chairmen
OF the two government agencies hav-
ing closest contact with transportation
problems-the interstate commerce
commission and the railway labor
board. Conferences with railway
managers and employees are expected
to follow in time to permit action a.
the coming special session Of con-
gress.
( Discussion at the cabinet meeting
was only of preliminary and indie
cisivc character, but there were indi-
cations that the chief executive and
his official advisers were much con-
cerned over information which has
come into their possession. Since it
took up the reins of authority, the
administration has heard rumblings
Of dissatisfaction from many sources,
the roads complaining of inadequate
income, the employees protesting
against impending wage reductions,
shippers asking for a reduction OF
freight rates, and in some cases the
general public appealing for better
service.
Examine Sources.
All OF these points Of dissatisfaction
are to be examined in the admins
tration inquiry, together with the gen.
eral relations of healthy transpor'
tation industry to the nations COM
mercial life. Even the tariff ques-
tion, which is to furnish the principal
topic of consideration for the next
session of congress. is considered by
administration officials to be CLOSELY
interviewer with transportation poll
cies, since in some instances present
import duties are said TO operate to the
serious disadvantage of American
producers by permitting foreign pro-
ducts to- reach American centers at 4
lower cost than a railway-borne do
nestle goods Of the same character.
The most serious feature Of the sltua-
tion, however, as it has been pictured
to administration officials, is the ap-
parent inability Of the carriers them
selves to make both ends meet and at
the same time keep service up to
standard.
Demand More Earnings.
A number of high railway officials
have called on Mr.. Harding since his
election and have told him that un-
less some way to increase earnings
were found. the whole transportation
>system of the nation faced paralysis.
Such a possibility, the railwaymen
have insisted, could only be viewed
as a public calamity.
A further material rate increase IN
the present condition of the nations
industry, Mr.. Harding has been told.
might result in such a curtailment OF
traffic as to actually reduce earnings
rather than increase them. On their
side the railway employees have Wig
orously protested against wage re-
ductions as an economic expediens.
declaring that living costs require
that wage schedules remain un-
changed. All along the possibility Of
general railway strike has made
both railway executives and govern
ment agencies think twice whenever
q wage cnt has been suggested.