Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1922-11-23
Washington, d c., Nov. 2O.-There

| Z washington, - .C., NOV. GV.-1Icie
is abundance Of authority for the
statement that the railroad problem
is probably the most serious one be-
fore the, American people today.
Aside from the controversy over the
railroad labor board, the immediate
manifestation of difficulty is the car
shortage which exists, particularly in
the western part Of the country. The
American Railway association esti-
mates a shortage of between 10000
and 10000 cars of all sorts, and the
railroad executives say that there is
no remedy for this shortage which
can be applied now. The country
must get through the emergency the
best way it cam. taking such losses
as are unavoidable and possessing it
self in patience until a permanent So
luton can be found. y
The American transportation sys-
tenn runs quite smoothly in fair
weather when traffic is not too heavy
and when there are n abnormal diff
tficulties in the way. Just as o as
something untoward happens, how
ever, it gets all cranped and tied up
like a man with a bad case Of rheu-
matism. Unfortunately the compari-
son ends there for in the case Of the
victim Of rheumatism he is the only
one who suffers, but when the rail-
roads get in condition such that they
cannot function normally everybody
suffers. j. 4
\Instead of taking a temporary
measure with rusty elbow, the rheu-
matte patient, if he is wise, takes
treatment for the rheumatism in his
whole system. He attempts to elm
mate the basic trouble. 1t is becom-
ing plain that instead of attempting
temporary e%xpedients with recurring
railroad troubles, congress must pro-
coed to a thorough treatment which
will better the whole transportation
machine. .
In all probability an extra. session Of
congress will be called after the
fourth of March, 1923, which will be
devoted largely to the railroad prob
lem This will mean that a series of
hearings will be conducted to, obtain
the best available advice on what leg
~islation should be enacted. Following
this, a general transportation bill will
be framed and threshed out in con-
gress.
Senator LAFollette, author Of the
railroad valuation act, is expected to
take a leading part in this program,
and railway presidents shudder when
they think about what he may do.
The Wisconsin statesman has, made 1t
clear that in his judgment the trou-
bles Of the railroads are due primar-
lily to over-capitalization and financial
mismanagement, and the men whom
he regards rs responsible will get any
thing but sympathetic treatment at
his hands. He is regarded as in a
degree the spokesman for labor and
1t is possible he may lead the fight
for the abolition Of the railroad labor
board which Samuel Gompers has said
determined to make. Senator Cum
minis, as chairman OF the committee
on interstate commerce, Is another
who will be exceedingly active in
shaping any railroad legislation that
may be enacted. The Iowa senator
is regarded as more sympathetic to-
ward railroad management than his
colleague from the Badger state.
Railroad Extensions Inadequate.
The United States and Its railroad
system may be kened to a growing
boy and his clothes. The clothes mus
he constantly enlarged to keep. UP
with the boys growth or they wear
thin IN important places and bind the
freedom of his limbs. Before the War
about $500 miles Of railroad we're
built each syear.a This was the en-
I1argement necessary to keepyup with
1.-THE growing population and CONNER,
cial activity OF the nation. When the
war came, railroad building stopped
land since that time there has been
practically no net gain in mileage Aoi
lfaalitjes, Il fact, tns some sections