Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1917-12-29
PICKING MEN
To HELP RUN
NATION TRAIN
McAdoo Plans Advisory
Cabinet From Among
Executives.

Washington, Dec. 20.
The railroads have def
nitely refused the demand
of their organized en-
ployes for 40 per cent in
creases in pay and have
turned the responsibility
entirely to the govern
ment.
The railway executives
here today, in letting their
decision be made known,
made no concealment of
their feeling that govern
ment operation is a step
toward government own
ership and made clear
they felt the public and
stockholders would de-
mand it.
Washington, Dec. Director
General McAdoo spent today as
sembling a staff of advisors and
executive Oiiicers to assist him in
administering the railroads as a
national unit.
He conferred with John Bar
ION Payne, counsel for the ship.
ping board. and Interstate Com
mercc Commissioner Anderson.
An announcement Vt plans Is
expected soon.
The railroads war board went t.
work on q general scheme Of opera
tion. A few reports reaching here to
day told of first efforts by local rail
way officials TO haul freight by short
est routes. AS requested by the di
rector general in his first telegram t
railway heads
Cold Wave Is Obstacle.
A cold wave accompanied by snoy
IN many localities probably woul
prevent q noticeable Improvement i
freight congestion under government
operation for week or more, official
said,
Il was understood today that Nj
McAdo0 would use the various depart
ments OF the interstate commerce
COMM ion TO execute most Of his OF
ders and tn addition would form a
advisory cabinet including represent
atiye7 of the war and navy depart
ments, the shipping board, the fut
and food administration and tn
federal trade commission.
Legal phases of government opera
ton have been studied carefully by th
legal bureau, headed by Joseph Y
Folk, chief counsel Of the commission
and many questions remain to |
threshel out between the railroad
and the government administration bt
fore a smooth working plan is d.
yeopei.
Investigation to Continue.
The senate interstate commert
committee today decided to continl
its plan 20 investigate the railroad 81
uatiou under the Cummins amen'
menG
Members Of the committee agree
that She investigation would be pure
academic, but decided that any info
4 nation obtained would be of bene'
IN considering legislation to carry O
recommendations by the president
his forthcoming address.
What scope die investigation vi
take was not decided upon, but mer
!. bers OF the interstate commerce cor
Mission as we'll as representatives
the railroads will be called
The railroad war board today direC
ed the operating committee of caste
railroads with headquarters at Pitt
ourgh TO remove Immediately TO Was
ngton to sit here with the board.
Handling Rail Finance.
One OF the plans under consider
uon for handling railroad finances
the formation OF a government &C
porauon under the director general
railroads TO buy and market railrc
Securities.
AT the same time, it became know
the railroads bad refused the brotht
hoods demands, il was learned Ii
The railway workers had decided not
press ,heir request for a period OF
FEAST 80 days or until ii is seen u
what the railroad situation will be
WIN Not ''Tic Up Roads.
i Tie railroad brotherhood chiefs
ready nave assured the president u
under no circumstances would tn
lie up transportation while the wa
Question was at issue.
j Railroad executives here today
Pressing their feeling that the tran
portaton system never will so ba
INTO private hands gave two reaso
.slrst they do not believe the stot
holders will agree to IL with reyen'
guaranteed under government ope'
Ton. and second. they believe that
formation Of continental ratlT
combination will make II Impossible
II ha olr Ia n.z.S.-+sttx-a ar