The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1914-11-14
HOW RAILWAYS MET
CRISIS IN ENGLAND
Taken Over by Government
They Handled Big Tasks
Imposed.
Special Gable DsspdtcA 10 THs srS

LONDON, Nov. 13.-The American
Luncheon Club entertained to-day the
executive committee which has been man
aging English railways since the Govern
ment took over control OF these proper
ties at the beginning OF the war Mr..
Page. the American Ambassador. had an
nounced his intention OF being present.
but at the last moment sent a declina-
ton, as he did in the case OF the Lord
Mayors banquet. when the excuse was
given that he was suffering from nerve
trouble In his foot.
H. A. Walker. general manager OF the
London and Southwestern, who Is chair
man OF the executive committee, ex-
planned that under the act OF 1871 the
Government was empowered to take over
all the railways which are needed In
war and other emergencies. But Il was
not until 1912, that serious attention was
paid to the act. At that time Viscount
Buxton who was president OF the Boa I'd
or Trade. called meeting OF the general
managers OF the various lines and or
ganized an executive committee. but IL was
not until May. 1913 that this body be-
san 10 hold regular meetings and discuss
the details OF transportation problems in
time OF war. These meetings were con-
tinued, and finally, when war was de-
| clared, the Government took over control
of the roads
Tho Speaker said that under the law
OF 1871 the compensation to he paid by
the Government TO the railroads was not
fixed. but the Government was liable to
| claims in the event Of loss Hence a stu
| alton arose whereby the Government
would have 10 pay losses without re-
ceiving any profits. This was unsatis-
! factory to both the Government ahd the
! railways. II was therefore arranged that
| the Government should guarantee the
| railroads that the receipte during the
| time they were under State control should
| equal those obtained by them during pro-
portionate periods of 1913 How that ar
! rangement would work out. Mr. Walker
said. remained to he seen
| Mr.. Walker said no was naturally proud
| Of the harmony whereby the executive
committee had worked In the face OF
extreme difficulties. After the mobiliza
| ton the Government gave the railways
sixty hours in which TO transport troops
/ in $50 special trains to given points The
whole job was accomplished In forty
eight hours.
His own railroad. said Mr.. Walker
had handled at the docks at Southamp-
ton seventy-hve special troop trains in one
day. These trains came from every part
/ OF the kingdom and were scheduled IA
arrive at twelve minute intervals Every
train kept to its schedule to the minute
yet in that twelve minute interval each
preceding train detrained troops, horses
| &c, and got out of the way for the sue
ceeding train.
/ Mr.. Walker paid a warm tribute IA
Henry w. Thornton. tho American gen
eral manager OF the Great Eastern Rail,
way, saying he had been received by his
colleagues in that spirit of friendliness
which dominated English and American
railway men.
Mr.. Thornton made speech In which
he said that in his experience In handling
conventions In the United States he had
never seen such efficient organization anc
spirit OF patriotic cooperation as wher
the railways of England were suddenly
called on to handle ono OF tho biggest
transportation problems in the world