The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1922-07-21
ALL ARE AT OUTS
Railroad Executive Official
Says He Dislikes q. S.
Federal Control, Not WIDELY
Turned Back to Owners.
CHARGES TOO MUCH CONTROL
Executives Don't Desire to Cut
Wages, Themselves, He Adds.
BIames the Entire Controversy
ON Heavy Regulation.

Spokane, Wash, July 21.-Many
persons suppose that the railroads
were turned back to their owners and
managers in 1920, but this is only
one of the half-truths that will not
bear Investigation" declares Charles
Dillon. assistant to the chairman OF
the western committee on public rein
lions of the Association OF Railway
Executives. in an address before the
Chamber of Commerce here today.
Mr.. Dillon also asserted that moth
ing could be farther rroPS the truth"
than the impression that The railways
ARE tying TO break down the onions,
aud that they are eager 20 reduce the
mems wages"
He Tells the Truth"
the truth is we have about all the
government in railroads right now
that tie business will stand. 1t Is the
government which says what thu rates
are TO tie and how much the -oads
nay be De rmitted to earn If they can
90 It; IT Is the government which con-
rolS wages and it controls the condi-
lions unoer which the men shall
work Al the reports are maze and
the bookkeeping of the railroads IS
cone according to the rules Of the
Cnitea Siates government thru the in
terstate commerce commission and
uPcn forms prescribed by that com
n.tssicn- There is scarcely any item
o. manage n ent not directly under the
scrutiny Of the government at WASH
lngton or Chicago.
we ere now facing an entirely new
order, a new labor condition When
the United States railroad labor board
made the largest advance in wages
ever recorded, amounting, indeed, to
more than 1920, 100000 a year, the
railroads accepted the decision with
out resistance The men at that time
ald not question the Jurisdiction of
the board in making this enormous
advance.
But They Didn't.
The railroads promised. last Oc-
tober, to pass on to the public in re-
duced rates any savings in operating
expenses resulting from wage cuts
Rates have been reduced since last
January $400.0OO,OOO = $265OOO,OOO
approximately, more than wages have
1een cut passed on the earnings in
1921, or $5O0,O00,OOO if we compare
with 1920
IF the total earnings do not in
crease very materially, the rate reduc-
lions and the recent wage cuts will
allow the, railroads about 4 per cent
on Their valuation There is a diff
ference of about $443, 100000 between
this u per cent and the 5 q per cent
which the interstate commerce COM
mission says the roads may earn.
If the net return from your BUSH
ness were reduced as the net return
of the roads has been you probably
would close it out.
Road Regulates Business.
your business will prosper largely
according to the volume the roads can
handle promptly. The whole present
controversy, therefore, becomes as |
much your concern as it is the con-
Germ of the railroads, because unless
investors are assured a reasonable re-
ward new capital will not be avail |
able-and without this it will not be |
possible to provide adequate facilities. |
The tie that binds this people to- |
gether in national unity is the railroad |
tie and if it isn't kept in good repair |
the neglect can easily create ma
tionaI calamity for which every man |
and every family will have to pay"
The public. the speaker said, will be |
benefited by the recent rate reduc- l
tions. only as these reductions. in part. /
arc reflected in lower prices instead |
of in increased profits.