Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1922-11-23
CONGRESS AND THE RAILROADS
oy Frederic j. lIaskin

Washington, Nov. 23.-There is
abundance OF authority for the state
ment that the railroad problem is
probably the most serious one before
the American people today.
Aside from the controversy over the
Railroad Labor Board, tho immediate
manifestation OF dificulty is the car
shortage which exists, particularly in
the western part of the country. Tne
American Railway Association est-
mates a shortage OF between 10000
and zoe. 900 cars of all sorts, and the
railroad executives say that there IS
no remedy for this shortage wnich
can be applied now. The country
must get through the emergency the
best way II can, taking such losses
as are unavoidable mad possessing It
self in patience until permanent So
luton can be found.
The American transportation sys-
tenn runs quite smoothly in fair
weather when traffic is not too neaVy
and when there are no abnormal dim
cultles in the way. Just as soon as
something untoward happens, how
ever. II gets all cramped 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.
Instead of taking a temporary
measure with a rusty elbow, the
rheumatic patient, If he is wise, takes
treatment for the rheumatism in his
whole system He attempts 10 elimi-
nate the basic trouble. Il IS becoming
plain instead OF attempting temporary
expedients with recurring railroad
troubles, Congress must proceed 10 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. 1928, which will be
devoted largely 10 the railroad prob
lem. This will mean that a series OF
hearings will be conducted TO obtain
the best available advice on What
legislation should be enacted. Follow
ing this, general transportation bill
will be framed and threshed out in
Congress.
Senator LaFollette, author of tbs
Railroad Valuation Act, is expected
TO take a leading part in this program
|. and railway presidents shudder wheI
they think about what he may do
The Wisconsin statesman has mad,
It clear that in his Judgment th'
troubles of the railroads are due pri
imarily to over capitalization end fl
nancial mismanagement. and the mel
whom he regards as responsible vii
get anything but sympathetic treat
ment at his hands. He is regarded a.
in a degree the spokesman for labo
mad it is possible he may lead tn
tight for the abolition of the Railroa'
Labor Board which Samuel Gomper
has said the American Federation o
Labor is determined to make. Sena
tor Cummins, as chairman OF tn
Committee on Interstate Commerce
is another who will be exceedingl.
active in shaping any railroad legisla
llon that MAY DC endctcu. iue low
Senator is regarded as more sympa
thetic toward railroad management
than his colleague from the Badge
State.
Railroad Extensions Inadequate.
The United States and it's railroa
system may be likened TO a GROWN
boy and his clothes. The clothe
must be constantly enlarged to kee
up with the boys growth or the
. wear thin in important places an
: bind the freedom of mis- limbs. Befor
the war about 2.500 miles of railroa
We're built each year. This was IN
enlargement necessary TO keep U