South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1921-05-14
other Editors Than Ours
THE RAILROADS AND THE PUBLIC.
CIT. Wayne journal Gazette.)

Seven months ago the nation was solemnIy as
sured that the railroad problem had been solved
through the Esch-Cummins bill described by re-
publican Campaigners of the greatest pieces
Of constructive craftsmanship all the tide OF
Today Sen. Cummins committee is holding hearings
to determine why the Esch- Cummins bill has been
one of the most dreary failures in history.
The formulation of the Esch-Cummins bill
preceded by just such legislative hearings. At that
time the railroad executives that govern
ment control had been responsible for all the
trOuble-the trouble, by the way which made gov
eminent control necessary Now the senate be-
gins TO look for the trouble. Sen Cummns views
are reasonable enough. He admits that the roads
are desperately hard pressed. He admits that the
expenses too great for the income. These
penses due 10 labor and material and manage
ment.
AS to material he sees no cause for pessmism.
He calls attention TO the dror in the price all
railroad material except steel rails, and after he
assists his party in again boosting tho tariff steel
rails ne feels tho price down"
This is optimism Some OF the rreverent would call
il abslrdy.
AS % management nc rather agrees with the rail-
road worke-S-that It Is open TO much improve
ment. The executives deny this naturally. The pub
lie feels that when wages come down the enormous
salarieo should also fal In this CummiEs seems TO
agree.
As to labor cost, he agrees with the executives
that there must bG reduction. While the revenues
OF the roads last year greater than ever be-
fore. the aid took 20 percent Of the
instead OF 40 percent as formerly But being a poll
sorvation that the labor board has that in hand.
When the hearings begin in the senate il is a pity
that the public cannot be represented. The
railroad employers and emil lOyes and the owners
Will be represented. but these make a very
insgnihcant part of the American people And there
isn't man. child in the republic that
does not have interests involved in the hearings
The nation should be present at these hearings.
The man at the factory's forge, the farmer at the
pillow. the clerk in the store. the washwonan the
tub-every has interest, a personal interest,
in having the railroad problem correctly solved.
There isn't city in the streets OF which viii
rfaff g,,vTo SIS
coIapses.
Russian bolshovism is staggering 10 its fall.
under the blows OF the rebels against its bloody
rule. under the imprecatons of the statesman
and politicians OF other nations but because the
railroads about 10 collapse. When the railroads
collapse in any nation ultimate barbarism and utter
ruin inevitably And that is the that in
problem in the peoples Intersection that Will be in
the interest Of the nation OF which both employers
and employees are part. II IL be shown that the
present wages must come downtown they will
come. II 70 be disclosed that poor management
ia the OF the trouble-Out must the incOm-
petents. Here is where the people must be
served
without prejudices, passions hates dernag ogues
on both sides the contrary notwithstanding. They
the workers get good wages. the owners TO
make prohts-but above all, they intend that
the people shall get good service.
Thus the senate hearings 10 begin tomorrow may
very easily mark the making OF histOry-provided
the senators thinking solely OF the public in
legianoe 10 the employers the employees. There
ought to be gilt-lettered motto hung in the COM
mittee "Hew the line and let the chips fall
where they may