Newspaper Page Text
December, 1918
THE ATLANTIAN
5
The Government and the |Railroads
It cannot be doubted that a strong sentiment is grow
ing up in favor of government ownership of the railroads.
This sentiment is due to a variety of causes. The
railroad workers, comprising a strong and influential body
of men, are largely in favor of government ownership
and operation because they believe it will maintain their
present improved condition.
The general public is convinced that the government
will work out efficient operating methods which will ob
viate the necessity of maintaining 48 state railway com
missions, and will in a few years put the railroads in a
physical condition they could not hope to reach under the
old stock-jobbing system of management.
Then, there is the feeling that the old private corpora
tion system was a menace to the country. The general
trend all over the world is towards government owner
ship of public utilities first and other things later.
It may be true that transportation costs more, but it
is also true that operatives get more pay and this is a
tremendous factor in making up the public’s mind. For
the general public likes to see the workers well paid.
The abuses in the packing industry, the oil industry,
the coal industry, etc., are all helping along towards gov-
ehnment ownership.
The fight will be a bitter one. The Republicans are
going to fight sturdily for restoration to private owner
ship. The President has announced that his mind is still
open on the question, but so far as one may now forecast,
if the issue is presented nakedly to the American people
without complications, it is quite a fair assumption that
they will decide in favor of public ownership.
The world is steadily moving away from the idea that
it is right for a few shrewd men to manipulate necessities
in such a way as to take millions out of the pockets of the
not too well paid many in order to enrich the shrewd few.
We may call this socialism or any other kind of ’ism
we please, but it is as certain as fate that humanity is
growing very weary of making multi-millionaires.
It will be well for the world if all of us will grasp
that truth.
D. F. Kirkland
The new Federal Terminal manager, Mr. D. F. Kirk
land, comes to his important post with exceptional quali
fications for the duties assigned him. He has the respect
and confidence of all classes of organized labor, in full
measure, and this is a distinct asset in the position he
holds.
His appointment measures the regard ill which his
held by the men in authority, and that he will acquit him
self not only faithfully, but even brilliantly, is the confi
dent opinion of all those who have had sufficient ac
quaintance with him to measure his ability and to know
his personal character.
James L. Key, Mayor-Elect
On January 1st James L. Key takes over the reins
of government in Atlanta.
Our city has not within its borders a more compe
tent man. Thoroughly conversant with municipal affairs,
a democrat of the highest type, a courage which fears no
man or thing, a lover of his city, his state, his country,
incorruptible aiid a hater of evil, he enters upon a career
which it is safe to say will be marked by the largest use
fulness.
If for once, we can lay aside our petty bickerings
and get behind this strong man with the common desire
to advance the welfare of our people, Atlanta will enter
upon a career which will make its past wonderful history
but the introductory chapter to a story which will be com
plete when it is recognized not only as the great city of
the South, but also as a model city sending out to our
sister cities a record of great and righteous accomplish
ments.
We have the strong leadership, now let us show that
we know how to support that leadership, and with this,
new world which is opening up let us take a fresh grip
and make a record of which our children and children’s
children may be proud.
The Red Cross and the Y. M. C. A.
No history of the war would be complete which did
not take into account the work of the welfare organiza
tions whose workers, men and women, shared all the dis
comforts of the campaigns and in many cases gave life
itself to the cause.
Of them the Y. M. C. A. and the Red Cross are inter
national in character and therefore the best known.
But not one whit less unselfish or less devoted were
the workers of the Y. W. C. A., the Salvation Army, the
K. C. and the Jewish Welfare Work.
When all served so heroically it would be ungenerous
to make distinctions.
With the coming of peace other avenues of service
open up to these splendid organizations, and if we would
show our appreciation properly it can be done in no more
effective and no more benificent way than by becoming
active or associate members of some one or more of these
societies and thus welding the nation as a whole into one
Grand Lodge of Human Service. We will need them now
more than ever, for we have learned how to use them.
We have learned that they present one common plat
form whereon all can stand whose hearts are filled with
desire to serve their fellow men.
“And lo! Ben Adhem’s name led all the rest.”