The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1926-06-14
Editorial Comment
Chicago Journal of Commerce

Albert Baird Cummins is Is years old. 1t is
clear. therefore, that his defeat in Tuesdays pri-
mary means that his political career will end when
he leaves the senate on the fourth of next March,
1t is therefore fitting that few words be said now
concerning his place in national affairs.
Like nearly all OF us, Senator Cummins has been
swayed by the time-sprit. In time when great
aggregations of capital were generally regarded as
a menace, he tended to regard them in that light.
AS the years passed and the beneficent effects of
big business were demonstrated, Mr.. Cummins, like
the rest Of his countrymen, gradually underwent a
moderation Of opinion.
Hardly any of US are immune from this process.
In every phase of life-potical, social, business
mems views change with the changing times. And
SO Senator Cummins views have changed in some
respects.
But there has been no change in his fundamental
viewpoint. 1t has been asserted that the antrail-
road Cummns OF a quarter of century ago has in
course Of time become pro-railroad Cummins But
Mr. Cummins was never really anti-ralroad. His
opposition was not to the railroads. but to the abuses
of railroad management.
There were enough of such abuses in days that
are gone by. Cummins fought them. And as the
abuses were swept aside, he turned to positive eff
forts for improving railroad conditions. And prob
ably more than any other man in congress he has
been effective in the procurement of constructive
railroad legislation and regulation. In the dismal
postwar years. when at first it seemed that the rail-
roads never would begin functioning properly again
the work OF Senator Cummins was invaluable. That
work had its fine flower in the -Cummins rail-
road act of 1920 and especially in the "far return
provision of that act
That provision was not guaranty. The fact
that it was not guaranty has been demonstrated
by the fact that it has failed to guarantee. The in.
terstate commerce commission interpreting the pro-
vision, decided that SIX per cent would be fair
earn that fair return
proved highly valuable. 1t laid down the broad
basis OF public policy regarding the railroads
vague though it was, the "fair return" provision
gave the railroads feeling of security which en-
aDied them to go ahead with their great program
Tor the Improvement Of their plant.
mat improvement, which has been under way for
i've years. has not attracted much public attention;
yet it is comparable to the establishment of sound
money system after years Of demoralized credit and
currency. The improvement in railroad plant and in
service to the country has reached into every
phase OF business life 1t has amended the, funda-
mental rules and practices of business; it has
changed business philosophy. The speeding-up Of
transportation has enabled the retailer to do bust
ness with only small stock on hand And this
TACT has affected the routine of the manufacturer
1t has set free vast amounts Of capital 1t has al.
tered the necessities and practices Of the financing
OF business. The change has been epochal. And
every phase OF it has resulted in service to the
people: 'Ameriean history since the war can show
hardly any other event development Of such far
reaching Importance as the Improvement Of the rail.
road plant.
More than any other public man. Albert Baird
Cummins has been responsible for giving the rail-
roads that sense Of security which has enabled them
to perform this tremandous service. Senator Cum
minis thereby has demonstrated his statesmanship.