The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-12-29
.ppOrtiOn Business Among All
Lines Available.
Var Board Must Make Good or
1t win Be Ousted.
iREDICT HUGE NET REVENUE
anticipate Govt Will Realize
$50 Million First Year.
3xtent of MeAdOO's Legal Pow
ers Now Subject of Doubt.
EY ROBERT J. BENDER.

Washington, Dec. 29.-In the face
4 Il a blizzard which swept the eastern
Mates. Director General McAdoo. thru
his operating board" of railroad eX-
.cutives. moved quickly today IN the
.ffcrt to relieve freight congestion.
More locomotives were ordered
som western lines to pun the eastern
points out of the jam. Eighty engines
1ready have been transferred to con-
tested districts and the board IS eXpe-
hitting movement of twenty-five more.
Meantime McAdOO centered his at
ention on the great need of the ma
f ion for prompt transportation of sup
biies The board expects him to rec
bmmend Immediately strict curtail-
nent of passenger traffic and move
uent of non-war products to give the
light of way to coal and other sup
tpiies. McAdoo expects the public to
iecept these changes as war measures.
In belief that action is the first ne
cessity. McAdoo is letting other prob
ems rest until the congestion begins
/ q dissolve.
See Promise of Success.
4 The war board of executives met
thruout the day. developing plans for
pooling equipment with the end in
view of relieving communities suffer-
|ng from lack of, coal. congestion at
terminals and other difficulties IS. 1t
syas explained this board. acting under
control of McAdOO. could take steps
absolutely impossible under the old
/ regime where private interests natur-
[ally infected themselves despite the
.pnt1iOtism of the roads. In this pow
Ter to effect economies and revolution
Iary changes impossible or illegal IN
der private management, officials to-
day saw the greatest promise of Nc
Adoo's success.
McAdOo conferred today with a
plumber of railroad executives in re-
gard to his ultimate plan of control.
Matters of rate adjustment, handling
OF railroad securities. etc, are for the
time being left as they stand.
Railroads 80 Per Cent Deficient.
In all government developments
and at the capitol it was emphasized
that McAdoo's first efforts must be
centered on relief work for the coun-
TRY and for the army. The senate
coal probe hearing developed testi-
mony from L. A. Sneed, head OF the
fuel administration distributing divi-
sion that the railroads as a result OF
not increasing their facilities common
surately with the growth of the coun-
t.y. are now thirty-three per cent de-
ficient"
This was held to be some indica-
ton of McAdoo's problem.
Two hundred locomotives, ordered
for Russia. are now being held up and
can be changed for use on American
roads within two weeks. it is Officially
stated. They will be used in event OF
Russia's making separate peace with
Germany.
Rush War Freight.
Washington. Dec. 20. -- Director
General McAdOo today began the
movement of war freight thruout the
country without regard to individual
lines. simultaneously the railroad
war board. thru which McAdoo will
direct all operations, for the present
worked on a definite organization plaT
for the future.
How long this board will act as Nc
Adoo's operating agency appeared tc
depend on its initial success in meeting
demands
Pooling OF freight. equipment ant
expenditures will be accomplished as
rapidly as machinery for auditing
these revolutionary changes can bt
established. When McAdoos plani
are finally worked out, it is said au.
thoritatively. the railroads will be op
Grated as a business unit. Under sucI
operation the government should ne
$3.50. 100000 a year above compensa
tion to be paid the roads, federal con
troll enthusiasts. declares.
Congress Discusses Situation.
There is a difference of opinion il
congress on how far McAdoo can z,
before legislation must be passed t.
give him powers. The interstate com
merce commission and other legal au
thorities say the president has all tn,
powers he needs. Senators and con