The Sentinel=record., 1917-02-17

New York, Feb. 1G.-The railroads of the United States today informed President Wilson that the resources of their organization are at the dis. posal of the government in the event of war.
 Presidents or other officials of eighteen of the roads were appointed as a special committee on national defense. which will work in conjunc- ton with the commanders of the four departments of the United States. w. w. Atterbury, vice president of the Pennsylvania railroad, sent a tele- gram to the white house saying this was the plan of the railroads
 The committee organized here to- day at meeting of the American Railway Aesociat,0n's executive ses- sion vii act under the guidance of President Wilson's national council for defense. Daniel 0. Willard. p-esi- dent of he Baltimore & Ohio, is a citi- zen member of the council in charge cf the transportation and will act In advisory capacity both for the new committee and the council in the rail roads preparedness measure. The assCciatiou's committee on national defense succeeds in authority a com mittee formed last fall to cooperate with the war department in trans porting troops to the Mexican border Fairfax Harrison. president of the Southern Railway. who headed that committee. will continue as chair man.
 President Atterbury of the Railway A -sociation sent to the heads of it's members at the close of today's meet ing telegrams declaring that the pres ent emergency facing our country calls for loyal support and earnest CO., operation" by the roads with the fed eral defense body.
 Geographical division was made Of the country corresponding with the army departments and a subcommittee of railway heads was appointed for each territory. the headquarters of each to be in or near the city, where the commanders headquarters are To- cated In selecting these sub-conl' mittees careful consideration was given to area. congestion of popula- tion. number of railroads serving each territory, and the military requlre' ments. Thus the department of the east, with headquarters on Governors $ Island, has six members. central, at Chicago, five; Southern. at San An tonic, three; Western, at San Fran cisco, three members.
 For the South the members are w, R. Scott. president of the Sopthern Paficic lines in Texas and Louisiana. chairman: E. F. Bush, receiver of the Missouri Pacific c. F. Schaff, re- ceiver of the Missouri. Kansas X Texas
 
 of the Southern Pacific railway, chair man; E. R. Ripley, president of the Atchinson. Topeka & Santa Fe; J. D. Farrell, president of the Oregon Washington Railway & Navigation Company.
 At the meeting today there was no discussion of the work which the gov ernment might call upon the roads to do. The committee will meet in Washington as soon as the council for national defense wishes, 1t was stat ed. prepared to assure the federal body that the roads will carry out in structions faithfully.
 These instructions are expected 10 deal in general with movement or troops. transportation of supplies classification of equipment. building oe new terminals at strategic points where military needs require and con siruction of new roads which may he needed for the nations defense.