The Miller press. [volume] (Miller, S.D.) 190?-current, 1921-04-21

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, AID bring trans
~portation cost into a helpful relation
ship rather than continue it as a him
drance to resumed activities.
Must Cut Rail Rates.
1t is little to be wondered what i'll
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 a most difficult
situation, made doubly difficult by the
low tide OF business. All are so inti-
mately related that 10 Improvement
will be permanent until the railways
are operated efficiently at a cost with
in that which the 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 well investigate and
let the public understand wherein u
system and the federal regulations are
lacking in helpfulness or hindering in
restrictions. The remaining obstacles
which are the heritage of c~apitalistic
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
for the right of all the people.
Transportation over the highways is
little less important, but the problems
relate to construction and develop
ment, and deserve your earnest atten-
ton, because we are laying a founda-
" " q lOhS lAiAC " NOAllCs civ JIG
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.
way construction, the outlay for which
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-
diture. .
Federal Aid Curb Asked.
The laws governing federal aid
should be amended and STRENGTHENED.
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 a consistent program of uniform
fty which will justify the federal out
lay.
Tonnage Development Urued.
Linked with rail and highway is the
problem of water transportation--in.
land, coastwise and t~ransoceanic, it is
not possible on this occasion to suggest
to congress the additional legislation
needful TO meet the aspirations of our
people for a merchant marine. In the
emergency of war we have construct
ed a tonnage equaling our largest ex-
pectations. It's war cost must he dis
counted to the actual values of peace.
II the large difference charged to the
war emergency, and the pressing task
is to turn U assets in tonnage to an
agency of commerce.
Big Merchant Marine Promised. d.
1t is not necessary to say to con.
gress, but have thought this to be a
betting occasion to give notice that
the United States means to establish
and maintain a great merchant marine
Our differences OF opinion as to a
policy OF upbuilding have been remov-
ed by the outstanding fact Of u hav-
ing builded. IL the intelligent and eff
hcient administration under the exist
ing laws makes established service i'm.
possible, the executive will promptly
report to you. M~anifestly If our laws
governing American activities on the
seas are such as to give advantage to
those who compete with us for the
carrying of our own argoe and those
which ought naturally come in Amer
lean bottoms through trade exchanges.
he spirit of American fair play
will assert itself to give American car
riers their equality of opportunity.
This republic a never realize its
righteous aspirations in commerce, can
never be worthy the traditions of the
early days of the expanding republic
until the millions of tors of Shipping
which-we now possess are co-ordinated
with our inland transportation and our
shipping has government encourage
ment, not government operation in
carrying our cargoes under our flag.
over regularly operated routes. to
every market in the world, agreeable
to American exchanges. 1t will
American genius and man
agement to have it understood that
ours is an abiding determination. be.