Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1935-09-23
THE POLITICAL
MILL
By G.. Could Lincoln.

AHOIldS %. nun OF sioux ClCy, Iowa,
president Of the newly organized Trans
portation Association Of America, but
there have been evidences that Govern
ment ownership of transportation facili-
ties may be thrust into the political arena
along with the demand for Govern
ment ownership Of other utilities. The
Transportation Association is being
formed for purpoSe-to combat efforts
Of politicians TO have the Government
go into the field of transportation. Its
program, as explained by Donald D.
Conn Of Chicago, executive vice preSi-
dent, will take three main directions.
First, research, planning, and public
education in all forms Of transportation
problems and their effect on the eficient
and orderly distribution of commodities.
Second, the determination of a sound
public transportation policy.
Third, the development of q balanced
system Of transportation under the prin-
ciple Of private ownership, comparatively
operated in the public interest.
*Ex
"A million or more Of interested indi-
vidualS and industries will be asked to
participate in carrying out the largest
economic program ever attempted in
IiilS COuIiCiy, SOIlIl SdlU.
The Transportation Association Of
America is the outgrowth Of a meeting
held year ago by small group of
leaders of agriculture and industry who
were concerned with the destiny of
transportation. Subsequent meetings
were held with similar groups in various
parts of the country during the past
year and resulted recently in the recent
incorporation Of the association.
Members of the board Of directors
come from many States and represent
cross-section of agriculture, manufac-
turing, finance and transportation such
as has never before been united in an
economic project. The association has
been incorporated as nom political,
non-profit corporation. without liability
to its members.
In discussing the plan of the associa-
ton Donald D. Conn, Chicago, executive
vice president, pointed out that the
apparent point of attack of the forces
opposed to individual initiative and pri-
vate enterprise in business Is q trans
portation system for Government owner
ship. toward which several groups are
already working. Mr.. Conn said that
success In this endeavor will embolden
these and other groups to carry the
doctrine Of Government ownership and
conduct of business over into other in
dustrial and productive lines" He said
the situation at the moment was par
ticularly dangerous because many of the
agencies in each field were operating at
loss and have been doing so for q
long time.
The problem Of preserving individual
ownership and competition in transport
tation, in order to avoid Government
ownership and its disastrous results"
said Mr.. Conn, presents an immediate
challenge to every interested individual
and industry"
Since transportation in this country
represents more than one-third of the
Nations buying power, the represent
atlVeS OF the new association insist that
the subject Is too vital to the welfare
OF every citizen to permit of continued
political treatment. One of the prin-
cipal objects Of the association is to
assure to the various branches of trans
portation business that will make them
Self-sustaining and able to meet the
requirements Of the public. 1t will be
interesting to see what part the aSso-
citation bill will be able to play, not only
in determining the economic questions
related to transportation but also in
combating the efforts of certain groups
to take these transportation services into
Government ownership.
Chairman Henry P. Fletcher of the
Republican National Committee is pre-
pared to lay before the Executive Com.
NIT Of hnf
mendatlonS for the better conduct of the
coming campaign. Among his proposals
will be Nationwide radio presentation
OF the story of the founding of the Con-
Stitution and Of the recent attempts to
weaken that fundamental law by amend
ments and by laws enacted by Congress.
There have been plans under way for q
dramatic presentation Of these stories. A
second proposal to be advanced by Mr..
Fletcher will call for a finance commit
tee to have charge of appointing State
financial solicitors whose duty will be
to gather funds for both State and
national campaigns. Under such a set
up, the number of solicitors for party
funds and the number of requests to
the same individuals for funds would be
curtalled. The amounts raised i'll each
State, under this plan, would be divided
between the State and National Com
mittee, for use in the campaign, on q
quota basis.
- 4
Mr.. Fletcher has also to propose the
formation of speakers bureau to pre-
pare brief addresses on New Deal poll
cies and to provide speakers to 60 into
all sections of the country. 1t is the
chairman's opinion that if an intensive
campaign can be carried out showing
the effect of the Roosevelt administra-
tons policies on taxation and currency,
1t will greatly aid the Republican cause.
The National Committee has also the
duty of passing upon q number of
designations from the National Commit
tee and the appointment of new men,
bers. Frederick s. Peck, for example,
has recently resigned from the commit
tee as one Of its Rhode Island members.
y ~
Representative Chester A. Bolton of
Ohio, chairman of the Republican Con-
gressional Campaign Committee, let out
blast today at the expenditures of the
Roosevelt administration. He produced
figures showing that a total of $50, 720,-
100000 had been appropriated by Con-
greSs and made available for expendi-
ture during the less than three years of
the Roosevelt term. Mr.. Bolton also
said that the Government had assumed
contingent obligations totaling $780,
100000 making the grand total govern
.foI Itch 4,