Evening star., 1930-12-15
Complaint from Railroads
Reaches Sympathetic Ears

Complaints by the railroads that they
suffer from excessive regulation while
their motorized and other competitors
have greater freedom are seriously re-
ceived by the American public, which
shows an open mind toward corrective
legislation. The rail lines themselves
demand definite action. Although JUS
tice in their plea is recognized, caution
is advised against laxity in dealing
with transportation.
Vigorous expression Of opinion comes
from the Chattanooga Times, which
feels that "it behooves the public to
consider the plight of the railroads and
make earnest effort to remove the cause
of their growing troubles" Pointing out
that Government builds highways and
permits buSses and trucks to compete
with the railroads and use the highways
at nominal charge" the Times adds,
"Self-intereSt alone should cause the
public to demand that the operation of
bus and truck lines should be placed
upon basis that would compel them
to compete with the railroads without
subsidy by the Government"
How to adjust the situation eqi
tably," says the Hartford Times, lis not
an easy problem to solve, yet consid-
Grafton for the ra--- Dads plight in the
battle to retain patronage should be
greater than it has been in the past
II the railroads patronage dininisheS,
the rates for it must increase. Public
convenience and necessity demand a
due and suitable proportioning of trans
portation charges, with all public trans
portation under common regulatory
policy. Otherwise there is inevitable
increase in the Nations total traffic bill
without we'll rounded betterment in
the service and safety for the vast in
vestments involved in providing it. The
legislative problem suggested is becom-
ing more and more urgent with the
passage of time"
Although the railroads are not ex
tending their lines into new territory"
observes the Seattle Daily Times, "they
have been tremendously active during
the last decade. They have improved
their roadbedS, built double tracks on
their main lines, increased the power
and efficiency of their locomotives and
have established new record in max
ing repairs to their rolling stock. Car
shortages are now unheard of, although
car loadingS have reached unprecedent-
ed heights. The country would make
q serious error If it pressed it's ham
pering regulations to a point where
the railroads could not command new
capital. If the transportation lines are
to continue to give efficient service,
they must be permitted to earn a rea-
sonable return on their capital invest
ment."
"The issue which the rail men raise
is one that must be faced in justice to
them and to the public, which is still
primarily dependent upon the service
given by these carriers" declares the
Fort Wayne News-Sentinel, while the
youngstown Vindicator remarks, 1.-THE
railroads have done much of late years
to their credit, and since the period in
which they were the objects of attacks
in legislation and otherwise, public sem
timent toward them has greatly
changed as there came larger appre-
citation of their service"
"Unquestionably the logic of the sit
uation is with the railroads." in the
judgment of the Birmingham News.
Gas long as Congress sees fit to regu-
late both their income and their outgo,
it cannot, without impairing railroad
service, refuse to protect them against
unregulated competition. AS the trans