Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1917-12-27
Railroads War Board
Frankly Surprised at
Action at This Time

Members OF the railroads war board
today were frankly surprised at the
announcement during the recess of
Congress that the government will
take over the wartime operation of
the railroads. They had been firm in
the belief that no action would be
taken until Congress reconvened and
have been spending the last two weeks
in . strenuous effort to untangle the
tran1o jam Of the eastern roads
As evidence that they were making
Roadway in this respect. it was tenta-
lively planned to make public the
actual accomplishments Of the rail-
quarters in Pittsburgh, the principal
employed in the tre-
mendous effort to relieve the traffio
congestion, and, incidentally. to prove
that the railroads themselves still were
best qualified to handle the situation.
Eject Of Senator Newlands' Death.
There was considerable speculation as
to whether the death Of Senator New
lands. spokesman in the Senate for the
administration railroad policy, did not
precipitate the unexpected early action
Of the President. The Nevada Senator,
~ Aeu oeeh uhoei s.oou, Was IeHeu upou
to explain the administrations policy
to the Senate, after the President had
addressed Congress on the subject and
Senator Newlands had been in long con-
ferences with the President about the
Daniel Willard, former ex-ofiiclo MEM
Der of the railroads war board and
now chairman OF the war industries
ooard, council OF National Defense, was
in conference with the President yes
terday. 1t also was suggested that
iacss ne may nave laid before the Pres
ident regarding the state of the coun-
try's industrial mobilization had some-
thing to do with the immediate action
taken yesterday.
Board In Executive Session.
Ihe members OF the railroads. board
ing ana sent out word that the is.u.
ancs OF q statement would be deter
mined at that conference. Some rail-
road men considered 1t likely that the
sAaLIo1os poaEo, wnicn 10 purely vol
Sn.xty Sokeare committee elected
~ ,ne Ameriean haiway Association.
woula Walt upon z formal statement
oy sscIetAry McAooo before making
any OF its own.
FOR the present. SO far as railroad
men Know. the raliroaos board Will
eon.inue ns worh OF directing the
sAstern Ioaos operatlon as unit so
.aL az tne Iaws concerning such a
DIIxate aIIanssnent VIII permit II
.n nay 20 . INA isy McAdoo VIII
ILL. .hi s eu.'i,,uanse until sucn
rn;,sn.S 49, r. 90 usisory pody o.
49, az. Sea.,ta vas suggesteo
s..s~ - All. 80 temporarily
os he broadsr noi,cv &c ~ slng OUT
fermifted under The Preei5e etoperaoi ,o
matinn tnan ,pss IaeaS ,;, ploeia-
Attendine the executive session .,
, sns E.ipse var BOARD this morning
railway. the boards cbairn,an. How
ard Elliott of the New Haven. Samuel
ia oa .ne rennsyVanla and julius
NJ ntSn ,,. ~ nS SouInerh racine.
49, t mash;'s. nae Holaeh, is hur-
'ins " issuing 'oh from chicago.
u.~ n.
Oeionos LARRY foreseen.
wars demands m r.,1ro,5 f.,,,,.,.
20"
were ioreseen early by railroad officials
and five days after war was declared the
heads of the priucipal svstens met in
Wa shington and formed q comn,ittee ~
Ave rail- chiefs to direct the rnads as
nearly as nossibIe as one continantai
system.
The Ave men named wera oored ,h.
ratiroad., war hoard eho
Ths ~.r ha.ra he. ..