Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1917-12-27
RAILROADS AND LABOR
PROMISE COOPERATION
IN GOVERNMENT CONTROL

IL
representing the railway executives of
the country. and heads of the four big
railroad brotherhoods. representing
the employees. abstained today from any
formal comment about the Presidents
proclamation taking over control Of
the railroads for the duration of the
war.
Both groups let it be known informal
ly that the President would have their
cooperation in his proposad proeram,
II was pointed out thaf ssTch ASS1faffGe
already had been given to fhe. Wh1ta
House by the railroAds' W. 81 s IA /
representatives OF the brotlderhoods. i
The news Of the Presidents action
was surprise to both the railroad and
brotherhood heads. 1t had been stated on
high authority that the President in
tended first to outline his plans to Con-
gress before making an announcement
to the American people.
The members of the railroads war
board went into executive session this
morning. and considered the adyisa-
bility of issuing a statement later@in
the day. All were present except Hale
Holden of the Burlington. who was
in Chicago. but started for Washington
upon receipt of the news OF the Presi-
/ dents action last night.
Declined to Make Statement.
The brotherhoods' heads declined to
make any formal statement before
their visit to the White House this
afternoon. The original purpose of
the call. it is believed, was to assure
take would be acceptable to them, and
1t is likely that they will give the same
assurance now that he has announced
his program. The appointment was
asked for some. days ago. in lieu Of
one made a week ago, which could not
be kept because of the inability Of
three of the four brotherhoods' presi-
dents to reach the city.
Went to Confer With President.
The heads of three of the railroad
orotherhoods-A. B. Garrettson Of the
Order of Railway Conductors. w. G.
Lee of the Brotherhood Of Railway
Trainmen and w. S. Carter OF the
Brotherhood of Locomotive Firemen
and Enginemen and II. f. Wills, rep
resenting Warren S. Stone. head OF the
Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers.
vent to the White House for a con-
ference with President Wilson this after
noon. The conference was set for 2:30
o clock, but was postponed until later in
the afternoon so that the President might
attend the funeral of Senator Newla nfs
of Nevada at O'Clock
The President, 1t is understood. will
discuss with the heads of the brother.
hoods the order which he has issued
taking over the railroads. particularly
with reference to the effect 1t will
have upon the railway employees and
what the government expects from
them In the way of support.
While the heads of the brotherhoods
declined to make any statements in re-
gard to the Presidents order before en-
ielD he
! their hearty support and the support Of
their organizations in the huge under
/ taking now entered upon as war
measure.
/ a. b. Garrettson pointed out that
three weeks ago he issued a statement
, in which he declared the government
would have to take over the operation
of the railroads of the country to nake
/ "A success of transportation during the
! war
Come Only Through Government.
IF there is to be unified control and
| operations of the railroads. said Mr..
Garrettson today, at is plain that II 90 -
come only through the government"
I He said that the railroads war board
which had untertaken to bring about
! the coordination and cooperation of
! the roads for war work was comnn.ed
of some of the ablest TRANSPORTS tion
men in the country. but that thew w.ra
= foredoomed to failure because of The
selfish demands OF some of the roads
! They had met passive resistance hn
! said. which was hardest of ali to over
come.
| The opponents Of government owner
! ship of the roads. he said. had opposed
not only the taking over of the roads hv
/ the government, but also the successf,,l
unification OF the systems under the MS ,
! board. fearing lest they might bring about
| government ownership IL they proved s,,cs
cessful The opponents of Koyernmenr
ownership, he said. had overreached them'
1 selves.
/ Asked If he approved of the Presjdept,s
! order taking over the railroads, Mr, Ca
rettson said: ~
! I'm view of my statement. issued three
weeks ago. declaring that the government
must cake charge Of the roads eyentnaiiv
at this crisis, you can understand thai
l am not wearing mourning today.,'
He admitted that II the government
| proved that 1t could operate the rafi-
roads successfully at this tunctura.
could do what private operation has not
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