OCR Text |
Show PRESIDENT WILSON FOR' THE RAILROADS President Wilson's letter on the railroad situation is n plain tip to Congress and to tho Interstate commerce com-merce commission to quit railroad baiting. Tho railroads nro not so greatly concerned nbout tbo attitude-of attitude-of tho public at this moment as thoy aro about tho attitude of offlcluldomy Tho public realizes that tho railroad, which suffered severely from tho "psychological" business depression existing before tho European war began, be-gan, havo been under added strain strain slnco. Moreover, tho public knows that tho interests of tho producer, pro-ducer, the merchant, tho consumer, aro lnterwtlncd wlthy tho Interests ot tho railroads, and tho public Is not grcntly Inclined to help pull down Its houso nbout its cars by nntlrnllroad agitation. It has seemed to bo a tt' ferent matter with Congress, with Its securities bill, and tho Interstate com-mcrco com-mcrco commission with Its rates do clslons. Tho President terms tho existing emergency "extraordinary." Tho railroads havo taken emergency measures lu seeking Increased rates of fare, and aro pressing their re quest for a reopening of the freight rates hearings. At tho very leaa, tho interstate commerco commission can tnko prompt action on theso matters. mat-ters. And If under Iho circumstances circumstanc-es of the mergency nnd the President's Presi-dent's letter It decides against 'ho railroads, there will bo somo very surprised statesmen In Washington. |