, 1922-12-07

ftCllIC, flOOT LedutT FTdnh W.
Mondell pointed out that the welfore
of the country is measured to a large
extent by the e~fficien y of the con-
tinent-spanning railroad systems and
that n greater measure of efficiency
is to he obtained by removing the
Central Pacific from Southern Pa
cific control. He said in part:
"The national interest therefore
demands that this most important
line (Union Pacific-Central Pacific)
extending with its connections from
the Great Lakes to the Pacific
"A shall be maintained at the
highest possible standard of effici-
ency, capable of rendering the larg-
est and the best possible service to
the public.
"There is ground for difference of
opinion as to the sort of organization,
management and control that would
best enable this line to perform the
service which it ownes to nation.
There can, however, be no difference
of opinion, it occurs to me, as to the
absolute necessity of maintaining a
management and control over every
essential portion of the line primarily |
n wholly interested in utilizing
the same to the very greatest extent,
and in the best possible fashion.
ANY control or management OF
any essential part of the line that
could by n possibility have an in
terest other than hat of making
the through line useful and efficient
in the highest degree would defeat
the national interest in the best util-
ization of this artery of commerce.
Il understand it was conceded by
counsel for the Southern Pacific
railroad in their brief in the case in |
which The Supreme Court decreed
the severing of the Southern and the
Central Pacific lines that it is true
of all such systems that, other things
being equal. freight is preferenlally
solicited for the 100 per e haul
This is an admission that unless
the Southern Pacific management
were controlled by motives purely al
,ruistic INT not at all by motives that
ordinarily control human conduct,
they could not be expected to be in
terested in, or to work whole-heart-
eddy for. the building UP OF the Union
Pacific-Central Pacific line.
"All this being true. wen in the |
absence of a Supreme Court de-
cision. requiring the separation of
the Central Pacific from the South
ern Pacific. ii would be the duty of
this commission within its authority
TO favor n insist upon a manage
ment and control of the Central Pa /
cific by some organization other than
that of the Southern Pacific.
"In view of the Supreme Court
decision, of curse there should be.
1t occurs to me, no question what
ever as to the necessity, the wisdom,
from every viewpoint of law n pub
lie interest. of having these lines
cam nlnfn Iv SaunrAI and Sanarafnl |
not only in ownership but in opera
ton.
Speaking from the standpoint OF
a resident of the state OF Wyoming,
1 think l am justified in saying that
h matter now before the commits
sion Is undoubtedly the most i'm
pOrtant. as affecting the interests OF
the state and its people. that has
ever been or that is likely to be
brought before this commission.
"Other gentlemen will undoubted-
ly 20 into detail in the matter OF
tonnage afforded by the Union Pa
cific in. Wyoming and as to popula-
ton dependent directly or indirectly
upon the road. desire to refer
merely 10 the larger and more gen. ,
oral features OF the situation. Al
management Of the Central Pacific,
which was not primarily interested
In the success of the through Union
Central lines might easily create a
situation In which the Union Pacific
railroad would lose a large part of
its present tonnage and business.
II might become a second or even
third class line: II might reach a
condition in which 1t would be I'M
able to furnish the service now furn-
shed or anything reasonably com
parable with II.
"On the other hand with the Cen
trail Pacific under management and
control singly and Enthusiastically
favorable to the utilization n de-
velopment of the transcontinental
system. OF which II was intended to
be and Is a part. the service onw
rendered In and to Wyoming would
be extended. enlarged and improved,
with such development OF re-
sources as would naturally come
with the growth of the country. un-
der n friendly and favorable man
agement OF the Central Pacific.
branch and feeder lines would be
built and with them would come In
creased population. and that general
Improvement in conditions which
would not only be gratifying and
helpful to the people of our state but
OF benefit n advantage to the en-
tire surrounding country and to the
nationa as n whole.
Gentlemen. / cannot press upon
you too earnestly the importance TO
the people OF our state OF a manage
mont OF the Central Pacific line
from Ogden to San Francisco wholly
and whole-heartedly favorable to
the growth and development and I'm
provement OF the transcon,inenial
system of which IT wal intended to
be. and of which in the interest OF
The people OF the United States II
tnuAf no n nnrt