The Connecticut labor news., 1922-03-24
CANADIAN RAILWAY
SYSTEM IS COVETED
BY BIG FINANCIERS
Propaganda Being Spread Broadcast
Intended to Discredit Govern
ment Ownership

Ottawa, Ont, March a. w hen
Parliament formally opened recently a
situation without precedent since con-
federation was established, as a result
OF the fact that the government is with
out a technical majority In conse-
quence, the ship of state" is now en-
gagged upon a hazardous voyage.
The Liberals are counting on suf-
tlcient support from the Progressives-
the farmers party - to retain CONTROL
and at present there is little danger Of
this support being withdrawn, unless the
government adopts a course at variance
with the principles Of the now power
full farmers block in the house And
in view OF the fact that such action
would entail its own defeat, the King
government is not likely to deliberately
antagonlze the Progrcssives. 1t is sure
to watch its step"
The circumstances are encouraging to
all believers in public ownership and to
a large extent overcome the fears that
result from the anti propaganda which
is now in full swing.
Get 11d1'ice From Wall Street
The extent of the campaign is in
Dictated by the fact that the Wall
Street Journal is advising Canada
to rid itself of the Canadian Ma
at an early date and subtly threat
ening that unless this is done the
Dominion will have difficulty when
it attempts to negotiate future loans
in New York
This provides confirmation - if any is
necessary - that the wrecking of the
publicity owned lines is not a national
Lut an international plot, backed by
United States, Canadian, and perhaps
English capitalists.
The 'antis" have become very active
ever since the National began to show
continued improvement in earnings and
to give reason to believe that under
efficient management, without political
maintaining and eventually prosperous
line, despite the handicaps under which
it has operated.
Road Was Promoters Dream
When the people of Canada, without
choice in the matter, acquired the old
c. n. r. it was badly operated, made
quately equipped, and very weak in all
| departments Millions had to be ex-
pended in order to give it a chance to
be operated economically and face the
competition of one of the most efficient
| roads in railroad history-the c. P. R.
When taken over the road was little
other than the realization of a promo
ters' dream.
Conditions were very similar in the
| case of the Grand Trunk, which was
misnanaged to the point that the Do
| miniOn had to acquire it or suffer the
| serious impairment of credit that bank
| ruptcy would have caused. Both roads
| were failures in the fullest sense of the
| word.
l ha tod
as separate units, but their a1nalgama-
| ton is but a matter of time, and the
| sooner it comes the better for both and
| for the public. When this is done the
! G. T. R. lines will serve as feeders for
| the transcontinental National and over
| tapping will be eliminated, overhead re-
duced, and the benefits of unified man
agement and control realized. The ne
cessity for immediate action is appar-
ent and while the opposition is strong
| it is likely to be overridden.
| Program of Government
Inti1nation that the new government
| realizes the necessity for amalagamatine
| the two roads was contained in the
! speech from the throne by Lord Byng
governor general, on Thursday This
message is a formally and usually force
casts the course planned by the govern
ment Consequently more than a little
interest attached to the announcement
that it is intended at an early date tc
coordinate the AFOREMENTIONED sys-
TENS with view to increased efficiency
and economy
In addition to the point referred to
the speech intimated that the govern
ment will attempt to do the following
things
/. Extend the market for Canadian
products.
D. Reduce freight rates on basic com
modities.
3. Attract new settlers,