The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1922-07-22
RAILROAD
FACTS sANDl
FIGURES
Railroads Are Controlled by
the Government Through
the Interstate Commission

-
Spokane, Wash, July 1S.-Many
persons suppose that the railroads
were turned back to their own
ers and managers in 1920, but
this is only one Of the half-truths
that will. not bear investigation, "
declared Charles Dillon, assistant
to, the chairman of the western
committee on public relations OF
the Association of. Railway Execu-
tiyes, in an address before the
Chamber of Commerce. here to-
day. -
Mr.. Dillon also asserted that
nothing could be farther from the
truth than the impression that
the railways are trying to break
down the unions, and that they
are eager to reduce the mems
wages"
.sThe truth is we have about all
the government in railroads right
now that the business viii stand. It
is the government which says what
the rates are to be. and how, much
the roads may be permitted TO
earn if they can do it; it is the
government which controls wages
and it controls the conditions I'M
der which the men shall work.
All the reports are made and the
book keeping of the railroads is
done according to the rules OF. the
United States government through
the Interstate. Commerce Commis-
sion and upon forms prescribed by
that commission. There is scarce
IL any item ef management not dl-
irectly under the scrutiny OF the
government at; Washington OF Che
cago.
1--WE are now facing an entirely
new order, a new labor condition.
When the United States Railroad
Labor Board made the largest adj
vance in wages ever recorded,
amounting. indeed, to more than
S72o, goo ,099 year, the railroads
accepted the decision without re-
sistance. The men at that time
did not. question the jurisdiction
of the board in making this enor-
nous advance.
.sThe railroads promised, last De-
tober, to pass on to the public in
reduced rates any savings in op-
Grating expenses resulting from
wage cuts. Rates. have been re-
sduced since last January $780,
0e0, 90 10 s265,000, 600, approx
mately more than wages have been
cut, based on the earnings in 1921
or $500, 100000 If we compare with
1920.
..If Total earnings do not increase
very materially. the rate reduc-
tions and the recent wage cuts will
allow the railroads about 3 IL per
cent on their valuation. There rs
difference of about $4,000. 600
between this 8 1-2 per cent and the
5 3-4 per cent which the Interstate
Commerce Commission says the
roads may earn. -
".If the net return from your
business We're reduced as the net
return Of the roads has been you
proba blys would. close it out.
Your business will prosper
largely according to the volume the
roads can handle promptly. The
whole present controversy, there
fore, becomes as much your cor
cern as it is the concern of the rail
roads, because unless investors are
assured a reasonable reward new
capital will not be available-and
without this it will not be possible
to provide adequate facilities.
The tie that binds this people
together in national unity is the
railroad tie and if it isn't kept IN
good repair the neglect can easily
create national calamity for
which every man and every family
will. have to pay
The public, the speaker said. Will
be benefited by the recent rate re-
ductions only as these reductions, in
part, are reflected in lower prices
instead of in increased profits.
.'f