The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1922-12-08

tune depends on better and cheaper
transportation.
Here is an outstanding problem de-
manding the most rigorous considera-
ton of the Congress and the coun-
try. In the last half of the year now
closing the railways. broken in car
rying capacity because of motive
power and rolling stock out of order,
though insistently declaring the con-
trary, embargoed the farmers ship
ments or denied him cars when for
tunate markets were calling. Too
frequently transportation failed while
perishabIe products were turning
from possible profit to losses counted
in tens Of millions.
Il know of no problem exceeding
in importance this one of transpor-
tatiOn. In our complex and inter
dependent modern life, transporta-
ton is essential to our very exist
ence.
"Manifestly we have need to begin
on plans to coordinate all transpor-
tation facilities. We should more ef-
fectively connect up our rail lines
with our carriers by sea. We ought
to reap some benefit from the hun
dreds OF millions expended on inland
waterways. proving our capacity to
utilize as we'll as expend. We ought
to turn the motor truck into a railway
feeder and distributor instead of de-
stroying competitor.
Live in Motor Age
1T would be folly to ignore that
we live in a motor age. The motor
car reflects our standard ot living
and gauges the speed of our present
day life. 1t long ago ran down sim
pie living and never halted TO inquire
about the PROSTATE figure which fell
as its victim. With full recognition
OF motor car transportation we must
turn it to the most practical use.
This transportation question can
not be waived aside. The demand for
lower costs on farm products and
basic materials cannot be ignored.
Rates horizontally increased to meet
increased wage OUTLAWS during the war
initiation are not easily reduced. When
some very moderate wage reductions
were effected last summer there was
> per cent horizontal reduction IN
rates. I sought at that time. IN a
very formal way. TO have the railway
managers go before the interstate
commerce commission and agree TO
a heavier reduction on farm products
and coal and other basic commodities.
and leave unchanged the freight tar
ifs which a very large portion of the
traffic was able TO bear. Neither the
managers nor the commission saw fit
10 adopt the suggestion, so we had
the horizontal reduction too slight to
be felt by the passenger class car
goes and too little benefit the heavy
tonnage calling most loudly for relief.
Government operation does not af
ford the cure. 1t was Government
operation which brought to us the
very order of things against we now
rebel and we are still hquidating the
costs Of that supreme folly.
Surely the genius of the railway
builders has now become extinct
among the railway managers. New
economies. new efficiencies in CO.
operation must be found. The fact
that labor takes so to 90 per cent Of
total railway earnings makes limita-
tons within which to effect economics
very difficult. but the demand is no
less insistent on that account"
Urges Rail Merger
The President then urged mcr-
ger Of the railroads, pooling OF
equipment and a central agency
to aid in their financing and to
suggest economies. Then turning
To the important railroad labor
board problem. he said:
1T is vitality important that some
such agency should be a guaranty