QUESTIONS SUGGESTED BY THE TEXT 203 



But whether this activity on the part of the United States govern- 

 ment is to be permanent or temporary is, at the present writing, 

 in doubt. 



The World War also caused the United States to take possession 

 of the railroads, and to operate them as a unit. The law provided 

 that this government control should cease within 21 months after 

 peace was declared. The government made the single dominating 

 principle of its operation of the road the winning of the war; con- 

 sequently service to private shippers was strenuously curtailed; 

 rates were greatly increased; costs of operation were enormously 

 increased by reason of wage increases. In short, the public paid 

 more and got less. While the war was in progress the public 

 cheerfully acquiesced in this condition on the ground that any 

 sacrifice was worth while so long as it contributed towards victory. 

 With the coming of peace, however, the public demand was irre- 

 sistible that the roads be returned to private ownership. 



QUESTIONS ON THE TEXT 



1. Show the fundamental importance of transportation. 



2. Name the six elements in our transportation system. 



3. What economic theory first prevailed concerning our railroads? Show 



failure of this theory. 



4. State the evils in connection with early railroad operations. What is 



the present status? 



5. What are the two main grievances now against railroads? 



6. Summarize the testimony of Murdo Mackenzie. 



7. Summarize conclusions as to speed of freight trains. Explain these delays. 



State remedy. 



8. Cite British experience. 



9. Comment on railroad capitalization and freight rates here and abroad. 



10. Show relation of railroad to farmer in six important respects. 



11. Name two additional activities needing attention. 



12. Discuss at length the express business. 



13. Show growth, success, and limitations of the Parcels Post. 



14. Show status and prospects of the Interurban Electric service. 



15. Comment at length on lake transportation. 



16. Describe and account for status of river and canal transportation. 



17. Describe in detail the Good Roads movement in this country. Compare 



haulage costs on country roads, railroads, and ocean. 



18. Show the Rural Motor Express situation. 



19. Comment at length on value of good roads to the farmer. 



20. Show how the theory of competition worked out in ocean transportation. 



21 . What action, if any, should the government take as to ocean transportation? 



22. Show what effects the World War had on American railway transportation. 



QUESTIONS SUGGESTED BY THE TEXT 



1. Prepare a chart showing the amount of federal aid to good roads allotted 



to each State. 



2. Would it not be as logical for a farmer to work out his school tax by teaching 



in the local school house a few days, as to work out his road tax? 



