Omaha daily bee., 1917-03-25
up. ROAD OFFERED
TO THE GOVERNMENT
Entire Property to Be Given to
Uncle Sam in Case War
Should Come.
BRIDGES BEING GUARDED

While the title to the property has
not passed, the Union Pacific system
from end to end, together with all Of
its appurtenances, has been turned
over to Uncle Sam.
The foregoing is substantially the
official announcement from the ex-
/ecutive Offices OF the Union Pacific,
just given out. The announcement
comes along with the news of the
strained relations existing between
the United States and Germany, and
is as follows:
"All of our present equipment and
the new equipment, as soon as it ar
rives, together with all our resources,
will be at the command of the United
States government and the Council
of National Defense, for the purpose
Of preparedness in the present ma
tional crisis"
In connection with the announce
ment that the property Of the Union
Pacific is at the command OF the fed
eral government is the following ad-
ditional statement, issued from the
company's executive Offices:
Buys New Equipment.
"As the first great transcontinen-
tai railroad constructed in America
for military purposes, the Union Pa
cifc railroad has taken, and will con-
tinue to take, every possible step to
make certain the highest state Of eff
cheney in caring for the transportation
responsibilities which 1t may be
called upon to furnish at this time.
"Nearly $4,000,000 worth OF new
motive power, in which is included
eighty-hve new engines, many OF
them the most powerful ever con-
structed in this country, and nearly
$5,000,000 worth of new freight equip
ment, is now under construction for
the use of the Union Pacific railroad"
The Union Pacific has extended
the scope of its campaign of prepar-
edness and cooperation with the gov
ernment to not only guarding the
Omaha bridge and the local yards, |
but is extending, as precautionary |
measure, the guard system to all por-
tions of the main lines.
Guards All Over.
Guards have been stationed at the
approaches OF all the bridges over
the Platte river and at the bridges in
Wyoming and Utah, and in the yards
at all OF the division points. Many OF
the guards are Union Pacific men,
but others are connected with the
governments secret service depart
ment, but all are working under the
direction Of the government.
While the Union Pacific has made
extensive preparations for the guard
ing Of its property, the same precau-
tons have been taken by the other
roads operating to the east and west.
All along the main line of the Bur-
lington and up along the line OF the
and Montana divisions,
guards who are cooperating with
the government are patrolling the
bridges and the tracks in close prox-
unity. In Nebraska, bridges over the
Platte, Loup and other streams OF the
same character are being closely
guarded and footmen are not per-
mitted to cross unless they are known
10 the guards, or can give good rea- {
sons for being in the vicinity. L
Guard Main Lines. |,
The Northwestern, Milwaukee, ILL }
iois Central and Great Western have $
guards along their lines from Omaha
o Chicago and on the bridges the pa
rolls have been doubled, besides be-
ng on duty night and day. .
Bridges at all points over the Mis- =
iouri and Mississippi rivers are being y
given special attention. Additional =
lights have been placed and on the Y
ong bridges the guards patrol them
n the same manner that police patrol Y
heir beats in the cities.