Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1922-10-29
by e. II. Mnrkhn NJ.

For twenty years the American
public hns withheld sympathy for tho
problems OF the railroads. problems
that were vital TO the. welfare OF
the public.
For twenty years the American
railroad has proven too often to he
the football of peanut politics. the
horrible example: for the pointing
finger OF demagoEues and the sound
ing board for the-more or Less
silver tongues Of spcllbinders.
Constructive LEGISLATION has been
hindcred. rather than helped by this
attitude, for In their desire to please
q suspicious public, even falr-minded
Legislators have leaned 30 far to-
ward rerres.ive legislation that the
constructive sort has bean lost and
entangled in the maze OF restrictive
Ied tape Of the former.
\ better service to the nation at
large. a wider scope Of production TO
Inc city and Il lcssening OF cost 10 the
farm producer who must move his
product would have resulted long ago
ii the railroads. often as unscelng As
the public that frowned upon them,
had been met haif way Ia friendly
spirity. and problems that were real
and tangible been :hrashed out to-
gcthcr. rather than attacked from
varying angles ihat neither solved
the problems or tended toward the
creation OF mutual benefit
10th Sides blamed.
IN thus placing blame upon the
public, ] DO not wish to give the i'm
preston that | believe railway men
always have followed the hiameitss
course: in fact, hold them Jointly
responsible Tor th- mistakes Of this
dark period. ] believe ,hay erred in
not pursuing at all times u policy Of
taking the PUBLIC into their complete
confidence and telling the public
frankly what their problems were
and what was being done, or should
. be done. to solve them. halfway men
/, have largely pursued policy OF re-
icence where their own actions were
involved. seemingly proceeding upon
the theory that the public did not
need their counsels Recent railway
history has proved that their atti-
tude was wrong
But, rtgardIess OF where the blame
Is 10 he placed. the act remains that
me impression gained popularity
that the railroads needed no protcc-
ton. Tint. IN act. they were en-
ri!"d !" no protection. and tina, the
pubic welfare could hes, b.. se.- ed
by attacking railway management
embarrassing IL and putting every
. hindraucc in its way. Every action
undertaken by the railroads looking
/, toward an imprO*cuCut IN their ca
. phcity for rendering service. was
: yieions!r attacked, every application
'pr rates which would proTid" reve-
. nues sufficient for operating cx-
pens"s. fred charges and retuin
: which would hc attractive to the can
: ltai needed tor financing extensions.
improvements and bctt.rments was
. h!ticrly fought, hamp"ring lcgisia.
: tion and restrictions were adopted
Increasing the cost Of reudn-i,r
transportation without increasing tn.
capacity for II. RsitinE tn. railroads
. became popular political sport Tn.
: public grew 20 LOOK upon tho critics
: % the railroads a. being nlways
. worthy ~ belief md the defenders
: "t the railroads as being always in
: the wrong.
R0nds In Future.
My optimism Tor tn. future O., IN.
railway situation is based upon n
neif' That this deictcriOuS urriod is
!. passing. ono nud> II stilI grooming
. out In some quarters but i, IS on ne
wan" We as a people s"cruto have
learned the Lesson the last Few wears
Z nave taught us; namely. 'ha, me IN.
'ure or our country IS tied w win
we eli-ring OF transportation. AID
that the two mus, dcveIop together
We '''Sf' 'HR'''dlN n
. onumistic belief in tho future o,
Americas second larrcs, Industry
second only 20 agriculture h..
!icve there SIN remains a gr.a, and
pressing need FOR further public adm
/, cation on railway questions Tn.
, public must b" CONSTANTS rcn,n,Icd
~ what :, has ~ s7abc In solution
; OF railway problems our enorrs
. must not lax
one ~ fht mos, Important steps.
Z believe. in creating a wholesome
. pp sentiment which w!ll Assure
s--pI Aresk. in uanGportatlon 10 In.