The daily star-mirror. (Moscow, Idaho) 1911-1939, 1923-05-23
PROSPERITY and
THE RAILROADS
VICE-PRESIDENT N. p. SAYS THEY
MUST GO TOGETHER-OPP
GOVERNMENT OWNERSHIP

The dependence of national pros
perIty upon the transportation sys-
TENS was the keynote of an able and
interesting talk made Wednesday be-
fore the Moscow chamber of com
merce by George T. Reid of Seattle
state supreme court and now vice
president of the Northern Pacific
Railway company, and general coun-
sci for the western division.
Mr.. Reid set before his hearers the
condition of the railroads and stated
that if they are to equip to handle
the country's products as they should.
they must be allowed reasonable
return, say five and one-half per cent,
on their investment. He said if the
railroads could not keep abreast of
the natural development of the
count1J, development would be re-
tarded and prosperity would wane
Must Attract Investors
If the railroads are to secure money
for extensions and improvements, to
meet the immediate needs of the ma
ton, they must be allowed to earn
sufficient to attract investors. The
railroads, he said, are financed just
as a peanut stand, or a farm, the
big figures, however, having ten
dency to confuse the public and make
them think there is something my
sterious about the business The
ownership, instead of resting with a
few men in Wall street, which seems
to be the popular belief, is scattered
among 863, 900 people and more than
a million people are railroad bond 1
holders.
The farmer, Mr.. Reid stated, is as
closely connected with the transporta-
ton problem as the man in any other
line, if not closer, and if the trans
sfrff - h
the farmer is crippled
Wants None of Government Ownership
Mr.. Reid said that the service of
he railroads would be poor and ex-
1ensive under government ownership,
when politics and not efficiency would j
nave much to do with operating the /
'oads. He also said that there are I
$4,000 men employed by the various '
'ailway systems of the country and t
hat this body of men, in government
mploy, would be too much backing I
or any administration to have.
Many to Attend North Idaho Meet S
Secretary B. G.. Rowe read a COM t
1unication from the ST. Maries cham
er of commerce, urging Moscow to
end a large delegation to the meet v
ng of the North Idaho chamber of 2
ommerce in that city June and 8. I
arrangements are being made for q
trge delegation to attend from here, +
nd it is expected the meeting will 2
e the largest ever held by the north +
1aho body. :,
w. A. Lauder reported that a large 7,
gn had been made for the junction a.
the highways at the top of the =,
ewiston grade. The sign will be =,
1T in place next week. =
G. A. Hagan reported that the COM
ittee named from the chamber of
,mmerce to aid in advertising the ~
ming historical pageant at the Uni 81
.rsity OF Idaho, was doing every Il
ing possible along the line of CO. o.
,erating with the university authori- D'
IS, and that arrangements were un- "a Lll
II way to secure special rates over ~
e various railroads. 81
President Lamphere, J. S.. Hecka- os
orn, and G. B Green discussed pro- L
ess of work on this part of the
nth and south highway, and the pos fie
Die change in the route between to
tIatch and Viola Tt