Norwich bulletin., 1917-12-28

Washington. Dec. 27.-Soon after American railroads go under govern ment operation at noon tomorrow, Di- rector General McAdoo will issue his first official order wiping out competi- tive conditions and providing for com plete pooling of traffic, equipment. terminals and trackage facilities, and and employees.
 Re- Routing of Traffic.
 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 q few weeks.
 Speedy Movement of Freight.
 Speedy movement of freight will be the first aim of the directcr- general But problems whose solution must press close on the heels of actual transportation questions are the equit- able reimbursement of roads for the use of their property on the basis of pre-war earnings, increased wages for railroad employees, financing of neces- sary improvements. building of addi- tional most railway employees would not be liable to the next or even sec ond draft call by being placed in tie second draft classification.
 Statement by McAdoo.
 MT. McAdoo tonight made his first
 public utterance since his appoint ment last night. in a statement. say ing that at least until he has time to mature his plans and policies. railro7d operation twill be conducted through existing railroad organiza tion."
 "This new task IS of great magni- tude and difficulty" said MT. McAdoo
 It cannot be done in a moment and it cannot be done at all unless the people of the United States as well as the officers and employees of the railroads, give to the railroad director their intelligent and patriotic support. assistance of every good citizen in this great work.
 0Unification is Essential.
 "The operation of the railroads as a thoroughly unified system is of fun damenta1 importance to the success of
 the war. Without it, we cannot get the effective use of our resources The ably come in the year 1918 Victory will depend upon our speed and eff1-
 ciency. We can get neither speed nor efficiency unless the railroads are equal to the demands of the situation. T can only say at the moment that the problem will be taken hold of wig orously and that plans and policies will be announced from time to time as rapidly as it is possible to mature them. Meanwhile the business will be conducted through existing rail- road organizations with ali the sup port and power of the government as serted in behalf of more efficient and satisfactory operation.
 ''The director general of railroads, upon invitation of the interstate Com
 merce Commission, has accepted of fees in the Interstate Commerce building. The commission has also placed at the disposal of the director the entire work and facilities of the mission"
 Lovett Will Be Retained. It is considered probable that Mir. McAdoo will retain the services of l Judge Robert S. Lovett, director of
 priority for the war industries board, with whom he conferred at length to- night, and that railroads will be in structed to continue to receive orders from that source. Another priority question to be settled soon is that of -ordinating the preferential ship ment instructions now issued by the fuel and food administrations and ar
 my quartermasters through a single government transportation director to supervise only government shipmentsa The director generals advisors have recommended creation of such an agency, emphasizing that the govern ment- railroad administration must justify itself immediately by Irovidins for speedier transportation of coal. MT. McAdoo is known to have given se- rious thought to the coal situation, and to have received suggestions that a representative of the fuel administra- ton be included in his staff.
 Not to Ask an Appropriation. Mr. McAdoo does not expect to ask an appropriation for administering government operation, and his staff probab bly, will be composed largely of men already on the government or railroad payrolls. He will receive no additional salary for acting in the dual capacity of director general of rail- roads and secretary of the treasury It is expected he also will retain the ser vices of the railroads committee which has been administering the equipment pool with headquarters at Pittsburgh.
 Wage Increase Will Be Considered. The pending demand of the four railway brotherhoods for a forty per cent wage increase will be considered. probably iE month or two, along with the more sweeping question of higher wages for all employees, including those unorganized. The director gen. erals advisors will suggest that a board of managers be appointed to tlarAal1 <aaat Rnazai urnGn- srlatfexs for