Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1921-03-16
federal Control Not the Remedy


T HE opinion seems to prevail in Wash
1 inGton official circles that the railroads
are heading straight toward Federal con-
troll again, with a possible further result OF
a greater movement in favor OF government
ownership than has yet manifested itself in
this country. That the railroads are going
through Il period OF great stress is unde-
niaDie: but to some extent the government
Itself is To blame for the condition because
-! the burdcnsome handicaps ii passed OH to
operation by the private ownership OF the
roads after it released its control OF the
properties. This condition has been inten-
sited by the depression TO which all bust
ness has hcen subjected in lis attemp; to
rcadjust its activities to the normal OF peace
times.
The announced intention OF the Pennsyl-
rania Railroad and some other big lines 10
cut wages. with the probability that such
action will result in the men on those lines
quitting work, is made the basis for the pre-
diction that renewed government operation
is i1evitable---cs pecially as the action of the
pennsylvania is taken for granted as pre-
ccding a general movement OF the sort
among all the railroads. But what other
course for relief is open to the roads? Their
decreased earnings seem to require some
such action. Rates cannot be further in
creased, for the present high rates are
doubtless partly responsible for the decrease
In traffic. and further increases would cause
a falling OFF in traffic. and still additional
increases would cause a further falling off
Ill traffic and thus defeat it's own object OF
raising more revenue. Reducing wages
seems to be the only way out. and the de-
creased cost OF living makes that a logical
StCn. since tho r1ice in ~ ,ho Co..
instance was based upon the then high cost
OF living.
OF course, labor will fight the movement
for a reduction of its wages. That is human
iatuTe; but under the changed conditions il
is not the sound policy to pursue. But facts
are facts, and as the American people. who
III the last analysis have to foot the bills for
operating expenses OF the roads as well as
10 provide the income upon the roads in
NcS'hents, come increasingly into q knowl-
edge or the true facts of the situation. la
Dor VIII have To bow to the facts. Some
cut IN wages is inevitable. But if the gov
eminent would allow the roads more free
dom in instituting economics OF operation
and in increasing the efficiency Of it's labor,
the necessity for any large cut in wages
would cease to exist.
At the hearings of the Labor Board a few
weeks ago. many facts were presented,
showing the handicap OF existing rules gov
eTning the service of the roads emrloyes.
lnnumerahle instances were adduced by
railroad officials showing the effect OF the
present rulcs-how one man was paid for
10 IL hours work performed within eight
hours; how one company was compelled to
pay iour mon a total Of 112 hours, amount
lhG 10 5000, for work which would have
occupied the time OF one man eighteen hours
ana twelve minutes, amounting TO sl2.2O:
how another cmploye was paid for five,
hours for work requiring thirty minutes:
Row, because Of provisions of the national
agreement, it is necessary that members Of
hve crafts perform work formerly done
compctehtly by two, and so on.
Inc railroads have "A right to complain
against these bnrdcnsome handicaps. and
the remedy is not To be sought in renewed
government control, experience of which
has not enainored the public of that method
OF undertaking to solve its TRANSFORMATION
pfobienis. What the country needs is not
more government interference with the
roads. but less.