Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1917-12-29

Under President Wilson's decision
the great event, regarded by many as
the opening of a new epoch in gov
ernment operation and control OF pub.
lie utilities, passed by without formal
ceremony.
Director General McAdoo was, con-
ferring at the time with the members
Of the railroads war board and Rob-
ert S. Lovett, chairman OF the priority
shipment committee.
Members of the war board--all
railroad executives-pledged their
support to the government adminis-
tration, as has practically every rail-
road man in the country.
Orders for the actual unihcation OF
the lines. common use OF facilities and
equipment, which are expected 70
raise the freight jam Immediately. will
be the first results.
ALL TRAFFIC POOLED.
AT noon, the hour fixed by Presi-
dent Wilson's proclamation ettectlng
governmental possession, Secretary
McAdoo. the new director OF railroads,
was ready with his first official order
designed to. pool all traffic, equipment
ind terminals to,relieve the congestion
which has gripped the country since
the outbreak Of the war.
The immediate tesult of the order
viii Be to wipe out competition and
reroute traffic over the shortest lines.
Shipments will move directly to their
destination regardless of the company
With which they originate and terflli-
raIs will be used in common to ettect
maximum efficiency. Speedy move
sent Of freight will be the FIRST duty
afrthe director general.
Salaries to Be Cut.
Retention Of present railroad ott-
ials and employees seems assured, but
Indications are that huge salaries OF
railroad executives will be reduced
and wages of operatives increased.
President Wilson conferred with
chiefs OF the four railroad brother
hoods Yesterday and received their
pledge Of loyalty to the government
administration.
The brotherhoodS have demands Ior
10 per cent wage increases pending
With the railroads, but the govern
nent's definite attitude in this matter
i,as not been disclosed 1t is UNDER
stood President Wilson assured the
brotherhood chiefs that railroad EN-
nloyes would not be called in the
next or even second draft.
Retention also of Judge Robert S.
[.oyetr. director of priority OF war m
lustries board, is considered likely.
Appointment OF government trafhc
manager to supervise only govern
ment Shipments and coordinate pref
erential instructions now issued by
the food and fuel administrations and
the uuartermasters' corps, has been
recommended to the director general
and 4 member OF the fuel admins
tration may be added to Mr.. Nc
Sdoo's staff.
Reimbursement Problem.
Other problems confronting the
oyernment are the reimbursement OF
..oads for the use of their properties
on the basis of pre-war earnings,
financing the necessary improvements
and the building of additional lines.
Special legislation, which already has
been drafted along the lines sug-
yested in President Wilson's state
nent accompanying his proclamation,
will be required to settle these ques-
ions. If congress follows the presi-
tents recommendations for guaran-
, .eeing the roads net earning equiya.
lent to the average of the last three
years, the government will be oblf-
gated to the extent of $9l8,424,8S5
the average annual earnings Of all the
roads for the three years ending june