The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1923-03-20
on the fundamental questions as af-
fecting North Dakota.
High Rate Cause.

government looking toward 4 greater
consolidation of railways and rail-
way systems of our country. as dis
tinguished from the sweeping oppo-
sitiOn indicated in the case against
the Northern Securities merger of
couple of decades ago, has been fos-
tered or compelled by certain facts
and conditions now existing and
which challenge the thought and in
vite serious attempt at an early
solution of these problems.
"These conditions are the exccp-
tionally high freight and passenger
rates, the shortage and poor condi-
ton Of cars and other railroad equip
ment, and the absence of profit
which, in many cases, is evidenced
by the low price of so many of these
railroad securities.
I when the cause for this unfor-
tunate condition is sought, many Of
the railroad executives place the
principal blame upon the continued
government interfer >nce as they call
the acts of government supervision
and regulation Of freight rates, pas
senger rates. and car distribution
and complain that the disposition of
legislative bodies to constantly place
restrictions on railway operations of
late years is intensifying the unfor-
tunate conditions and preventing a
speedy recovery. 1t is claimed by
them that if there were not so much
of government supervision, regula-
ton, and interference, and if, with
the business ability and ingenuity of
our American railway men, they were
permitted to work out these problems
in business-like way, they would be
able to improve the service and to
reduce the charges. 1t is also claim
ed by them that if the railroads were
permitted to consolidate or to es-
tablish working agreements within
certain specified territory, it would
make it easier to improve service, re-
duce rates, and to make a reasonable
return on the investment made in
these business enterprises.
What Clubs Found.
"In connection with recent hear
ings on the merger question held in
North Dakota, find that committees
of the Commercial clubs of Devils
Lake and Minot have gone into this
matter with considerable care, and
have come to the conclusion that the
consolidation proposed by the rail
way companies is more advantageous
to the state of North Dakota than the
consolidation proposed by the Inter
state Commerce Commission, for the
reason that both in the service that
can be rendered, in decreased
charges for transportation of freight
and passengers and in the greater
aid that may be given to the de-
velopment of the Northwest, the rail
roads will be in 4 better position to
serve the people of the state, if
weaker roads are not loaded on to
the shoulders of either of the lar
ger railway systems now serving our
state.
1T is apparent that if the plea for
less regulation and fewer restric-
tons on the railroad business is to
be needed and a fYcer play given to
the business acumen and ability Of
tho executives of these roads to
work out these problems, that the
public welfare then demands th.,.
competition, along broad lines, must
be preserved; not the petty competi-
ton which defeats efficiency, but
the broader competition which tends
to promote justice, while, at the
| same time making economy and eff
ficiency possible. If, on the other
hand, extensive consolidation and
working agreements should be per.
mitted or encouraged, the public well
fare demands that there should also
go with such consolidation and per-
mission to establish working agree
ments, an effective government SUI
pervision, regulation, and control 20
the end that the public may be as
sured of adequate and efficient serv-
ice together with more reasonable
rates on freight and passenger traf-
fic.
Must Re Supervised.
what the public is interested in
is form of management so super
vised, regulated, and controlled that
the best possible service, at the low
est possible cost, can be given to the
public, and at the same time to give
those who have invested their earn
ings in the railroad business reas-
enable and fair return on such in
vestment. If adequate and effective
government supervision, regulation,
and control can be established and
maintained, believe that much good
may be made to flow from greater
cosolidation among the railroad lines
and railway systems, but that if
there is to be less of supervision,
regulation and control of the service
and charges of these railroads, then
action must be taken to preserve a.
broad competition among the various
railroad lines serving the same ter
ritory; and that, under these circum-
stances, tn culture welfare of our
state demands, it seems to me, that
no two of the three great railway
systems having the largest mileage
in our state should be permitted TO
become members of the same consol.
I0k4 ~