The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1917-12-13
PRESIDENT READY
TO ACT ON RAILROADS
Confers With Executives. hut tnai-
Gates That His Mind Is
Made Up.

Washington. Dec. 12.-President
Wilson is ready TO act ON the rail
roads He gave representatives OF the
railroads employees and OF congress SO
TO understand this afternoon
He withheld from them precise IN
formation as to when he viii so be-
fore congress, but prompt action IL
locked for.
Under the presidents plan, the rail-
roads, as to practical details Will OPP
crate themselves under directing
board of their own.
Over this board. however, will be
a government administrator OF trans
portatiou, according to the best in
formation now obtainahle in high
quarters.
President Wilson gave an audience
of more than one hour TO the mem
bers of the railroads hoard. There
we're present Fairfax Harrison chair
man: Julius Kruttschnitt. Howard
Elliott. Samuel Rea and Hale Holden.
The railroad men went over their en-
tire proposals or suggested proposals
II is understood President Wilson
gave no indication of his position or
probable course OF action; but gave
the railroad operators to understand
that his mind was fully made up and
that he would move at once to put the
new scheme of operation into effect
Harrison Makes No Comment.
Mr.. Harrison would not comment
upon the conference with the presi-
dent. AT his Office later he issued
formal statement. saying the subject
was discussed fully and frankly. but
no decision was reached.
President wilson also saw Thetus
Sims. lust appointed chairman of the
house committee ON interstate and
foreign commerce. Representative
Sims was with the president probably
half an hour. When he came out he
was equally non-commital He gave
Indication, however. that the presi-
dent had gone over with him the new
legislation that will be required q
put the new scheme under way.
Then the president saw four rep
resentatives of the railroad brother
hood-H E. Willis, grand chief OF
the brotherhood of Locomotive Engi-
neers: r. ]. Mcnamara. vice-president
ana national legal representative OF
the Brotherhood of Locomotive Fire
men and Enginemen; w. NJ. Clark
vice -president and national legal rep
rssentafive of the Order of Railway
Conductors, and w. n. Doak. vice.
president and national legislative rep
resentative OF the Brotherhood OF
Railway Trainmen.
With each or his callers the presi-
dent talked freely. without, however
disclosing his exact program.
President. Wilson, 1t is understood
will recommend the appointment of a
supreme federal head over board
made up of the operating officials OF
the railroads. He will not recon
mend any radical move that will dis
rupt the present business methods OF
the railroads. He will seek to co-or.
dinafe all of ttSa main trunk lines fe
the speediest and surest relief to the
country and for the best service In.
mediately to the allies.
British System Favored,
Some sentiment has been aroused
for the adoption OF the British sys-
tenn of government control: but is IL
uointed out tonight that this will
hardly DO for this country. The Brit.
ish railroads are now complaining
that their finances are in a hopeless
condition. that they do not know just
where they stand. The government
has appropriated sso.000,0o0 for OPP
erations. but 1t Is accepted that ehi.
money. or the greater part of it. rep,
resents what the government woulf
have been compelled to pay for freighi
hauling. It is confidently predicted
thAe President Wilson will not recon-.