Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1924-10-21
WATER. RAIL AND PUBLIC
ROADS

HOAOo
The Gooding bill. which passed the
Senate 81 to rs Is coming up In the
at the next session. The committee
having It In charge Is being crIti-
cised by some Of those in favor Of
the measure as being apathetic.
The Spokesman Review of
Spokane. Wash, is running articles
and editorials In support Of the
measure and Is endeavoring to en-
list support In other parts OF the
country. Senator Smith of South
Carolina, chairman OF the Senate
committee on interstate commerce.
referring to the fourth section Of the
transportation act. recently said:
There never has been before the
American people a subject or more
vital importance than the proper
solution OF the problem involved IN
this fourth section. 1t Is not ques-
ton between partisans of the rail-
roads and partlsans of water trans
portation. 1t Ii n question OF how a
rapidly developing country may meet
the needs of its people in transport
ing the rapidly increasing products
IF the nation. 1t IL not question
Of the selfish interests of the rail-
roads. or those who have invested In
securities that make them possible.
The question is. what are we going
to do in reference to maintaining
both OF these systems In their full
efficiency"
He arnplifed this by saying:
Therefore. It Is n question as to
whether we are going to allow the
great transcontinental lives to carry
tho tonnage across the continent Mt
water rates and recoup themselves
ON the local intermediate shipments.
or whether we arc going to confine
them 10 the carriage by land and
leave the question OF adequate
transportation to the dual system
OF land and water"
Tho Spokesman Review charges
that tho railroads are camouflaging
their design by asserting:
|. That II the commission will
let them cut rates to the terminals
while they maintain higher rates
to the interior they will take enough
traffic from the boats to increase
their profits.
=. That the interior thereby
would be benefited rather than in
iurcd. because the railroads, IL
their earnings were increased at
the terminals. would be relieved of
the necessity of raising freight
rates ON interior products going to
tho eastern markets.
But that argument Is built on
sand foundation. In the first
place. the railroads would lose
revenue and the losses would eX-
coed the gains. They are getting
now a large volume of business
at the Pacific coast terminals on
the basis of prevailing rates.
They will always get business ut
rates higher than the boats are
making. because the railroad SER
vice Is superior to boat service
and many Pacific coast terminal
shippers would rather pay the
higher rail charges. II the rail
roads are allowed to engage in
Cutthroat competition with the
boats they will lose the difference
between he revenue from existing
rates at the terminals and the
lowered revenue resulting from
their cutting rates at the
terminals.
Just where fair play may lie We
do not know. The taxpayers have
built at public expense a way across
the Isthmus Of Panama for the
ships: they have built highways
now being pounded to pieces by
heavily laden trucks which we do
rot think contribute their share to
the up-keep. The railroads build
their own right OF way. True some
OF them across continent did receive
contributions OF Government land
which should have reimbursed those
roads In part. But even so that
was long ago. trackage has been re-
laid and the roads are bound to keep
it up or abandon II. Many OF them
under all the restrictions to which
they are subjected are not earning
such dividends, II any. as they
should.
Once water transportation was
highly regarded. Once the Kennebec
River, Tor instance. was thought to
be a highway of value to business:
once it was demonstrated that
freight could be carried more cheap
ly by water. One may ask IL all
that has been changed. Presumably
there has been some degree Of
change by reason OF demand for
moro prompt and direct service, but
has there been no Interference with
distribution by means which have
not been beneficial to the public.
Should there not be a concerted
effort to give the influences Of sup
ply and demand opportunity to
function without interference and so
arrive At an equitable adjustment of
relations between the water. the iron
and the public hishways. an effort
to eliminate any favoritism: In
recent years freights have been
moved between San Francisco and
Portland. Maine. by water via r.the
Panama Canal more cheaply than
was done By rail. Should the public