The Daily Missoulian. [volume] (Missoula, Mont.) 1904-1961, 1917-12-28
Director General McAdOO to
Eliminate Competitive
Methods at Once.
GOVERNMENT ASSUMES
CHARGE TO-DAY NOON
Will Organize Big Corps Of
Assistants and Advisers
to Aid in Work.

American railroads go under govern
mcnt operation ut noon tomorrow. Di-
rector General McAdoo will issue his
first official order wiping out com
pctitivc conditions and providing for
complete pooling OF traffic, equipment
terminals and trackage facilities, and
for the retention Of present officers
and employees.
The immediate result will be a re-
routing of traffic over. shortest lines,
regardless of the company with which
shipments originate and the common
use Of TERMINALS to effect maximum
efficiency. Without anticipating Won
ders under the new plan, officials look
forward to material Improvement in the
present traffic congestion within a
few weeks.
Speedy movement Of freight will be
the first aim of the director general.
But problems whose solution must
press close to the heels of actual
transportation questions are the equit-
able rcimbursements of roads for the
/. use Of their property on the basis Of
pre-war earnings, increased wages for
railroad employees, financing Of 'neces
sary improvement, building of addi-
tional lines or facilities and the tangled
priority situation.
Legislation Drafted.
Before most of these questions can
be settled, special legislation will be
necessary and to urge this President
Wilson is preparing message to be
delivered to congress soon after it
convenes after the holiday recess next
Thursday. Legislation already has
been drafted.
The legislation, however, and prob
lens dependent upon it, can await the
deliberation of congress, while Direc-
tor McAdoo must get into action to-
morrow with powers already con-
ferred on him by President Wilson.
First. he will confer with the rail-
roads war board of presidents, whose
services apd advice he said today
would be retained under the new ad-
ministration. Then he will organize Il
corps Of assistants and advisers, large
~ of experts of thds interstate com
!. mcrce commission, III whose building
/. he will maintain headquarters for
railroad supervision.
Mr.. McAdoo said today he had given
no lHouSHl u pGTSUilnel OIL ms
staff. and was not prepared to outline
the details Of his administration. III,
intends, however. to avoid disruptina
any railroad organization or any. agen
cies developed which can lend efficien-
cy to the new order.
Although the railroads war board
after being in executive session al
day, issued no statement. commenting
on government operation, railway ex-
ecutives indicated privately they were
well pleased with the promised situa.
tion and optimism was reflected in tn,
Unusual rise In railroad securities or
stock exchanges. Hundreds of tele
grams of congratulation poured in OF
Mr.. McAdoo
dubious note came from the capital
where several Republican members O
congress expressed fear that the tasl
was too big for. the government t.
handle efficiently under war condi
tions, and others criticized the appoint
ment of Secretary McAdoo as directo
general.
The labor question under government
operation was discussed with Prcsiden
Wilson during the day by heads of tn
four railroad brotherhoods. who re
newed their pledge of loyalty to gov
crnment administration. They sper
an hour and half with the presider
and it is understood they received as
surances that most railway employe
would not be liable to the next or eve
the second draft call by being place
in the second draft classification.
Mr.. McAdoo tonight made state
ment saying that. at least until he hs
time to mature his plans, and policie
railroad operation will be conducte
through existing railroad organize
ton"
Need Cooperation.
This new task is of great magn
tude and difficulty" he said. 1T cal
not be done in a moment and it cal
not be done at all unless the peop
of the United states. as well as Il
officers and employees Of the railroad
give to the railroad director their il
telligent and patriotic support.
earnestly seek the cooperation al
assistance OF every good citizen in IL
great work.
The full operation of the railroa
Continued on Page Seven.)