Denver labor bulletin., 1917-12-29
THREE MILLION WORKERS
COME UNDER GOVERN
MENT SERVICE.
Secretary of Treasury McAdoo,
Appointed Director General;
Stockholders Assured Pro-
lection; Railroad Brother
hoods Express Conf
dence in Presidents
Action.

Private management of Ameri-
can railroads has suffered a total
collapse when put to the supreme
test since war was declared
against Germany. Lack of CO.
ordination and failure to exercise
high executive ability by overpaid
and overfed water-stocked Of
ficialS is the explanation.
Control and operation of the
world great network of rail trans
portation was assumed Friday by the
United States government thru a
proclamation issued by President Will
SON. IN which Secretary of the Treas
general director.
McAdoo Director General.
McAdoo will continue to hold his
caolnet portfolio and perform these
functions as we'll. And he can do it,
Tor the people have confidence in the
business and executive ability of the
man who constructed New York's nm
foreground railway system when rail
road flnancers said it couldn't be done.
McAdoo has gained additional conf
dence of the American public by the
successful manner in which he handled
two Liberty Loan issues in Quick
tune, the greatest public loans in the
worlds history. Wilson and McAdoo
can bring order out of chaos in the
railroad transportation service. and
VIII have the cooperation of all the
people, including 100000 men and
women employed in the various di-
VISIONS OF the transportation service.
It's Hard on Sinecures.
One of the first acts of the govern
ment IN beginning operation of rail-
roads VIII be to reduce large salaries
now oelng paid to the railroad execu-
tlves and increase in some measure
Leaders of commercial enfern-;sss @
working for the government, federal
officials and representatives of labor
agree that the nation is placed now on
war footing under the centralized
guidance of President Wilson and Sec
retary of the Treasury McAdoo.
Drastic regulations to supply and
accommodate only those commercial
enterprises vital to the war work are
expected.
Brotherhoods Give Approval
The presidents action was abso-
lutely the only solution to bring an
efficient administration of the roads
during the war. We are gratified at
his action" said A. B. Garretson.
spokesman for the brotherhood lead
erS.
Capitalization of authority over the
roads will have far-reaching effect
on the people of the country. 1t prom.
ises immediate relief to districts snf.
terlng from coal famine, and many
points destitute of needed food sup
plies.
1t Is absolutely essential for relief
of congestion" said Fuel Administra-
tor Garfield. 81 look forward to an
early betterment of the coal situation
as result of the new control"
In the far reaching order of the
president there is seen the first move
toward eventual governmental owner
ship of the nations railroads Off
cials in confidence admitted the pos
sibility. Railroad labor leaders were
outspoken IN their prophecies.
There'll Be No Refrigeration.
IF the government shows that it
can operate the roads more efficiently
in the public interest than can selfish
private interests, it isn't likely the
roads will be returned to private man
agement," said A. B. Garretson, chief
of the Railroad Conductors. "The his
tory of the world doesn't show any
retrograde movements"
The nature of railroad legislation
which the president is expected to ask
soon of congress has not been dis
closed
The status of railroad employees is
not altered by the change of admins
tration, Garretson said. The en-
ployes have the same status as when
the railroad goes into the hands of
federal receiver. Strikes will not be
reasonable under existing laws. he
emphasized.
No legislation to alter or strengthen