Shoshone journal. [volume] (Shoshone, Idaho) 1884-1931, 1923-12-14

. | "A
Meet which should be transformed as
soon as possible, to private ownership
anu operation under conditions which
would secure two results, First, and
OF prime Importance, adequate means
fof national defense second, adequate
service 70 American commerce. Until
,, shipping conditions are such that our
meet can be disposed Of advanta-
seously under these conditions, 1t will
Do operated as economically as pos
slbie under such plans as may be ad-
ylsed from time to time by the ship
ping board. We must have merchant
marine which meets these require
ments, and we shall have to pay the
cost Of Its service.
Public improvements.
The time has come to resume In 4
moderate way the opening Of our In
tracoastal Waterways the control Of
food waters Of the Mississippi and
Of the Colorado riversl the improve
ment of the waterways from the
Great Lakes toward the Gulf Of Mex
leo; and the development OF the
great power and navigation project of
the it. Lawrence river, for which eff
forts are now being made to secure
the necessary treaty with Canada.
These projects cannot all be under
taken at once, but all should have the
immediate consideration Of the con-
gress and be adopted as fast as plans
can be matured and the necessary
funds become available. This Is not
incompatible with economy, for their
nature does not require 30 much a
public expenditure as a capital invest
ment which will be reproductive, as
evidenced by the marked increase In
revenue from the Panama canal. Upon
these projects depend much future In
dustrlal and agricultural progress.
They represent the protection Of large
areas from flood and the addition Of
great amount of cheap power and
cheap freight by use Of navigation.
chief of which is the bringing Of ocean
going ships to the Great Lakes.
Another problem Of allied character
is the superpower development of the
northeastern states, consideration OF
which is proceeding under the direc-
ton Of the Department Of Commerce
by Joint conference with the local au-
thorities.
Railroads.
Criticism of the railroad law has
been directed. first, to the section lay
= ing down the rule by which rates are
fixed, and providing for payment to
the government and use Of excess
earnings; second, to the method for
the adjustment Of wage scales; and
third, to the authority permitting con
solicitations.
II has been enormously assumed
that the act undertakes to guarantee
railroad earnings. The law requires
that rates should be just and reason
able. That has always been the rule
under which rates have been fixed
To make rate that does not yield a
fair return results in confscation, and
connscatory rates are Of course uncon-
stitutional. Unless the government
adheres to the rule Of making rate
that will yield a fair return, 1t must
abandon rate making altogether. Inc
new and important feature OF that
mart of the law is the recapture ana
redistribution of excess rates. Inc
constitutionality of this method Is now
before the Supreme court for adJuol-
cation. Their decision should De
awaited before attempting further leg
Islation on this subject. Furthermore
tba ,mnortance Of this feature VIII not
be great II consolidation goes INTO
effect. ~.
Tho settlement Of railroad labor dis
mites is a matter Of grave public con
Germ. The labor board was eslaO-
usbed TO protect the public In the en-
iovment of continuous service by at
tempting to insure Justice between the
comnsnies and their employees IL nus
been a great help, but is not ai.o-
gether satisfactory to the PUBIC, the
emnlovees. or the companies II a
SUBSTANTIAL agreement can be reacheo
or,on0 tbe groups interested, there
sbould he no hesitation In enacting
sucb agreement into law. II 1t Is not
coached the labor board may very
vol he left for the present to protect
the public welfare. srfs.
Tho law for consultations Is not SUM
o,artIv effective to be expeditions. Al
dItional legislation is needed glvlns
authority for voluntary consoliua'ion .s
both regional and route, and proVlu,
inc government machinery TO alu ane
stimulate such action, always suolec'
70 the approval of the Interstate cum
rnerce commission This should au-
tbor,ze the commission to appoint com
mittees for each proposed group rep
resentInq the public and the conpo'
nent roads, with power to negotS l
ter Individual security holders TOT
an exchange Of their securities iof
nose ~ the consolidation on suen
tarns and conditions as the coiiiiis-
s,on NAV prescribe for avoiding any
ooneseafion and preserving fair fal'
nes should THIS permissiye consoil l.,
tson orove Ineffective after q lim'iep