The evening herald. [volume] (Albuquerque, New Mexico) 1914-1922, 1922-06-16
OUR RAILROADP Probe M

IF there is a citizen of the United States who
comprehends all phases Of the great railroad
problem now squarely before this nation for
settlement. or one who can view all phases Of
that problem with impartial mind, he has not
yet come before the public.
II there is a citizen of the UNITED States who
does not appreciate that We have this railroad
problem squarcly before MS for solution and
that upon the wisdom Of that solution depends
the industrial future of our country and per-
haps it's very existence. he needs 10 be awaken.
ed 20 a keen realization of these facts.
We find few careful students of the railroad
problem, outside the ranks Of railroad manage
ment.
We find abundant evidence that there are
many millions Of citizens who not only know
nothing about the existence Of a staggering
Transportation problem but who. unfortunately
do not appear to have ,he slightest interest in
becoming informed although their very liveli.
hoods and continued individual freedom are at
stake in the solution.
We find railroad management bitterly pro
testing against reductions in freight rates that
men in other lines Of business appear TO regard
as a step toward industrial salvation.
We find railroad employees as bitterly pro.
testing that reductions in wages made By the
official agency for wage regulation are more
drastic than can be endured and that they over
balance the freight rate reductions.
We una the railroad union leaders calling n
nationwide strike vote because Of opposition
TO rulings of the railway labor board. We find
railway management equally dissatisfied with
the rulings of the board ON the ground that re-
ductons ordered are not adequate to reduce
operating costs to a normal level.
We find the problem squarely before us,
shrieking for sane. unselfish, intelligent solu-
ton for the common welfare.-and, Strangest
of all. we find the great unorganizcd public APP
parently viewing the whole tense situation with
a calm indifference as To what happens.
We sit upon the edge OF an industrial vol
cano which may spout a nationwide transportA-
ton breakdown ut amy minute that will bury
business and industry, and 90 per cent of us,
when we think Of the matter at all, wonder
what it's all about.
II follows that any serious effort 10 tell us
facts, even IL they do not cover all phases Of the
situation. is "A worthy and a valuable effort and
one calling for serious consideration.
Such an effort has been made by am editorial
writer OF the Chicago journal of Commerce.
The Introductory statement TO this series Of
articles, six in number, appears ON this page
today. The first article will appear ON this
pHwe tomorrow and the others in early issues.
The Chicago journal Of Commerce is bust
ness paper for business men, devoted 10 the ad.
vaneement Of the welfare Of American business
II is not a railroad paper. II is fearlessly and
intelligently edited. II is sincere. Its effort IA
present the railroad problem as a menace Il
business merits most respectful consideration.
The Herald does not agree with all of the
suggestions this business paper makes. Few OF
MS agree on many angles Of the railroad prob
lem. Not enough Of us have thought about tn,
problem sufficiently 10 begin 70 reach agree
ments. We need 10 begin 10 think about th'
problem. These articles will make us think
every one Of us who reads them with care.
Therefore The Herald is publishing them
They can be read with profit not only by bust
ness men but by railroad employees, by wag,
esrners in every vocation, because every way
Garner. whoever he may be ard whatever hi
employment, is bound 10 be affected vitality an'
directly by the working out of the great trans
portation problem.
Read these articles. They are the plainesI
simplest aud yet most forcefnl presentation o
the transportation problem we have seen. Yo
may not agree with the suggestions they pu
forward. But they will make you think abou
the problem.
And IL enough Of us think seriously about III