"It is impossible," it says, "to ex
aggerate the seriousness of the rail
road situation. The business of the
nation is threatened with paralysis.
In fact, the slowing-up process has
already reached the point where even
Senator Cummins admits that the
shortcomings of private ownership
are costing the American people more
each day than did the war with Ger
many when that great conflict was at
its height.
"The representatives of the steel in
dustry have notified the interstate
:ommerce commission that unless
they can secure cars it will be neces
sary for them to shut down their
plants They have thready exhaust
ed their storage capacity and it is
useless for them to* continue opera
tions, as they can neither ship nor
store their product
The great manufacturing districts
of New England are unable to secure
coal with which to produce power, or
cars in which to carry their output to
market.
"The farmers of the West can not
move their crops.
"Similar stories come from every
section of the country. Business is
good, but farmers, merchants and
manufacturers can not reach their
customers because the arteries of com
merce are clogged."
It goes on to point out how much
better the roads were run by the
Brovernment, even under war time
difficulties, and demands that the gov
ernment, resume control and operation
as the only way to save the situation
this summer.
