Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1923-06-23
THE PRESIDENT AND THE RAIL
ROADS

EOAOO
Those who hear or read the adj
dresses, which President Harding is
making on his trip across country
will quite generally agree. We think.
that he is endcavorinS very success
fully to speak as the President of the
country. frankly and fcarlessly re-
CARELESS of political effect. But of
course his words and the comment to
which they may give rise will have
widespread political influence.
Yesterday he spoke upon tho sub
Sect of railroads out in Kansas city,
great center of Il territory, Whcre
railroads have been criticized and leg
aslatcd about for a long time. ont
where the question of railroad rates
touches Il large number of people
more deeply perhaps than elsewhere.
Yet he would not have his hearers
forget that our national interests "aIc
wholly mutual in the last analvs!s".
And right here il would be wcll to fix
in our recollection what he had to say
about closer and fuller understandings
Il know of nothing, he said, (which
Will 50 promote our tranquility and
stability at home and peace through
out the world as simple and revealing
md appealing understanding" Also
II seems fitting to remark in this CON-
nection that this country has had no
public mcu better capable of contrib
IN
- better disposed toward Il fuller UNDER
standing than is President Harding
The President also is acquainted
with the operation OF the public mind.
ard while Astounding in faith in the
righteousness of the ,pcoplc's final
judgement is not unaware OF iucon-
sistencies, to one of which he referred
when he said:
TT is a curious trait Of hui
man nature that we acclaimed
railroads N the building ana then
turned to hamper them in the opera
non. Missouri and Kansas were
doubtless like Ohio. We gave from
nur purses to contribute to needed
building funds, we donated vast areas
Tor right Of way, We witnessed firan-
rlal exploitation With little protest
because OF our caCorncSS to acquire
and acclaimed the acquisition. Mar
Nelous development attended, but we
omitted the precautions which would
have avoided many present day diff
Gculities'
lie might have added, but kindly
didn't. that not only is lack of UNDER
standing cause Of many Of our
troubles but also lack of insistcncc
on what we do understand. But when
he called attention to the fact that
our need Of proper facilities is now go
great: That we have even stakcd
our very existence on tho daily con-
tnuity of transportation, one must
indeed be stupid not to come to the
conclusion that insistencc on the pco-
pies part becomes a duty of self pres
ervation, and effort to arrive at
workable basis which may prove de-
pendable becomes a patriotic obliga-
ton
The President frankly states his
opposition to the policy of Govern
ment ownership and mana cement of
the railroads:
Il believe it would be Il colossal
blundcr which would destroy initia-
i've, infect US with political Corrup-
Ion, create regional jcalouScS, and
impose incalculahlc cost on the public
treasury. But we must find a solu-
tlon of the rate problems and the
necessary expansion Of facilities and
find that solution in spite of the pref
1ldices of the present day sponsors
Tor operations and the present -d;y
dsstroNcrS who would banllruut ca.
ConiisCatc. else Government owner
ship and operation will become an ac-
Cepted necessity. Nor do | share tho
views OF those who would lower rates
without regard to railroad good for
tune. The prosperity of the RAILWAYS
is the prosperity of the American
people. and the property rights in
railway investment are entitled to
every consideration under our C0nsti-
tuition which is due to property rights
anywhere. Any tendency toward
coniiscation will lead to confusion
and chaos. and destroy tho very
foundation on which the Republic is
builded'.
lie discusses the program OF con-
solidatinS the railroads into systems
with confidence that through such
means solution of many of our
transportation difficulties may be
reached. lie concludes, as must all
OF us. that the railroads have become
publicly sponsored institutions and
mat Government must find "A way 70
AVOID confiScation, avoid storv,tio,,
ana maintain service and a proper
return on capital which Will assure
mem growth commensurate with
the country's development.
He takes occasion to cynross bic
conviction that the test of the Rail-
!foad Board has not been either fair
cor complete. He recognizes the OBJ
structlons that have been thrown in
The WY of dnxaIar:.,.. 49,.