Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1925-12-31

ally and honestly conducted, to the
end that commerce between all sec
tons of the country can be proftably
and successfully carried on 1t con
templates the creation and mainte-
nance upon a permanent basis of the
greatest industrial plant in the world.
While maintaining the integrity of
the individual systems. and sustaining
between competitive points the com
petition of good service, il seeks 10
coordinate intel change in the car
rlage OF freight and passengers, so as
to give nationwide unified service.
The experiment now in progress in
this country OF a great national sys.
TEN of transportation privi telv owned.
but subject to public regulation, If II
IS TO succeed, and if ultimate Govern
ment ownership is TO be avoided. can
not be considered from the stand.
point of individual or segregated
classes Of shippers, or limited Iocali-
ties or territories, nor can il be
measured and determined by the de-
slres or interests of separate ana H.
dependent systems of railroad. 1t
must have for its ultimate purpose
the coordination, in the way of in.
terchange in operation, OF the many
systems, TO the end that the public
Will receive efficient service OF the
lowest possible rates consistent with
a fair return to the owners for the
public use of their property.
x x
The controlling propositions about
which the entire Transportation cues
ton reVolveS are service and rates
1t is essential in the public interest
that the railroads give efficient sery.
ice. \ farmer will properly feed and
protect his work horses, viii properly
aSr,r, II
traction engine and his thrasher, TO
the end that he will receive the benefit
or good service. Efficient service in
railroad transportation is identical in
principle with efficient service in any
other vital element necessary TO sue
cess in business. The railroad. in =
larger sense, bears the same relation
10 the man on the farm that his other
machinery does. Without convenient
ana reliable transportation, there is
no market for farm products.
In the last three wears the carriers
under the provision of the transporta
tlon act, have made remarkable
showing in efficient and economical
operation, and much progress in the
rehaolhtatlon of their properties.
Ihere has been practically no car
| shortage; shippers, as general rule.
nave had their tonnage reach the mar.
car loadings per week are so freouenr
as 10 fall to attract attention.
Inc benefit to the public of this
kltd OF service is of great value. II
puts the producers market upon q
more reliable basis. A shipper can
determine with some accuracy when
MS shipments will reach destination.
II saves both the jobbing and retail
merchants large investment in sur
plus and unproductive stock. :. -,
very material factor in the xsnerej
prosperity Of the Nation.
>: J; ). *
There is a lot of psychology in the
matter of rates and much misconcep-
ton as to the effect of same. Ordi-
narily fair analysis will disclose that
the selling price Of staple products is
controlled by economic conditions
rather than by freight rates. To illus
trate, the average freight rate from
producing points on wheat from
Kansas and on corn from Iowa. 10
their primary markets is from 10
cents to II cents per bushel An IN
crease or decrease of 5 or 10 per cent
IN these rates. when applied to the in
dlVldual shipper, is from one-half cent
TO ia cents per bushel, much less
than the ordinary weekly fluctuations
Of the market. and in no case sufi-
Gent to seriously affect a farming
community as a whole or the indiyid-
ual farmers ultimate success or
failure.
The same difference in rates, If ap-
piled to the tonnage of a great rail
road system, will in many instances
spell the difference between solvency
and NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. or inefficient
service. 1 doubt if there is any sensi-
BILE shipper. If the question were put
to him as an individual who would
for a moment consider exchanging
efficient freight service as a vital ele-
ment in his business for a trifing
change in freight rates, either up or
down.
Copyright 1926