South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1922-03-05

adopted. increasing the cost OF rem
dcrlng transportation without in
creasing the capacity FOR 81. Bait
ing the railroads became popular po-
utical sport The public grew 90
look upon the critics az the railroads
as being always worthy OF belief,
and the defenders OF tho railroads
as being always Tn tho wrong.
Roads I'm Future.
Ny optimism for the future or the
railway situation IS based upon a
belief that this deleterious period IS
passing. One finds % still cropping
out in some quarters. but it Is on the
wane We as "a people seem 70 have
learned the lesson the last few years
have taught US. namely. that the
future Of our country is tied up with
the well-being OF transportation.
and that the two must develop to-
gether.
But. even though I entertain an
optimistic belief IN the future OF
Americas second largest industry
second only 10 agriculture believe
there still remains a great and press
ing need for further public educa-
lion on railway questions Ths pub
nc must be constantly reminded OF
what it has at stake IN q solution OF
railway problems. our efforts must
rot lag.
One Of the most important steps. !
believe. IN creating a wholesome
public sentiment which will 1ssure
progress in transportation IS inspir-
ing public confidence in the men
who stand az the head Of Americas
great transportation systems. have
been I'm railway work a great many
years and I know the caliber Of the
men who hold positions OF trust In
the railway industry. l know them
TO he honest conscientious men.
trained in their calling. and l know
their ambition is that American rail-
roads shall maintain their high rank
I among the transportation agencies
OF the world. / believe them worthy
of the public trust
At PubIic's Mercy.
The growth OF public regulation
has placed the railroads literally at
, the mercy of the public. The rail-
roads are controlled through gov
ornamental agencies IN the service
| they shall give. the rates they shall
charge, the wages they shall pay and
I the conditions under which their
employees shall work; while 10
management is given the power Of
directing operations within these
limitations But I hold for manage
ment greater task that OF Impress
I ing upon public opinion the need Of
constructive policies, and of outlin-
] ing what those policies should be.
Railway management is the trustee
Of vast properties valued at nearly
| SO. 900. 600. and il would be
derelict TO duty if IL did not exert it's
utmost effort toward construction
as against destruction. toward pro-
gress as against retrogression.
When We are i'll we call upon men
trained in the diagnosis and treat
ment Of human ailments TO affect a
cure; when questions of jurisprud-
ence arise we consult the best legal
minds at our disposal 10 guide our
actions; in railway matters men
/ trained in that science should be our
| advisers. In the consideration OF
every public question there always is
proposed a plethora of untried rem
\ edies, fake cures, quack panaceas;
/ these have exercised, in the past. too
great an influence upon public
| thought in railway matters.
The first principle Of railway pro-
| gress is the necessity Of placing at
/ the disposal Of the railroads a net
/ income which will be sufficient TO
pay obligations and attract the saw
| ings OF investors in order that ex-
| tensions. improvements and better
ments may be carried out The only