Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1917-12-27
Continued from Page One

Continued from Page One
labor will be discussed at a conference
between the President and the brother-
hood chiefs this afternoon.
THE Presidents action was absolutely
the only solution to bring an efhcient
administration of the roads during the
war. We are gratifed at his action
said \. B. Garretson, spokesman for the
brotherhood leaders, today.
Capitalization of authority over the
roads will have a far.reaching effect on
.he people of the country. 1t promised
immediate relief to districts suffering
from coal famine and many points des
titute of needed supplies.
'"It is the move absolutely essential
for relief OF congestion" said Fuel Ad-
ninistrator Garfield today. II look for-
ward to an early betterment of the coal
situation as Il result of the new con-
troll"
In the far-reaching order of the Presi-
dent there was seen the first move
oward eventual Government ownership
Of railroads. officials in confidence ad-
nitted the possibility. Railroad labor
eaders were outspolen in their prophe-
cieS.
SEE PLAN MADE PERMANENT
"If the Government shows it can op-
crate the roads more efficiently in the
public interest than can selfish interests
i isn't likely the roads will be returned
to private management" said y. h. Gar
retson, chief of the railroad conductors.
THE history of the world doesn't show
many retrograde movements"
The nature of railroad legislation
which the President is expected 20 ask
soon of Congress has not been disclosed.
SO far as 1t affects labor, Garretson
and other officials refused to discuss 1t
until after the conference between
brotherhood leaders and the President
this afternoon.
| The status of railroad employees is
not altered by the change of admins
tration, Garretson said. The employees
have the same status as when the rail-
| road goes into the hands of Federal
receiver. Strikes will not be reasonable
under existing laws. he emphasized.
] No legislation to alter or strengthen
the present standing of railroad workers
will be asked, Garretson said, because
none Is necessary
While details of the Government S
procedure must be worked out. the rail-
road war board stated that the roads
| had been preparing for the President s
action and were ready for prompt and
effective cooperation.
| Measures of further travel, economy
and strict rulings limiting supplies and
/ transportation facilities first to those
industries contributing to the war will
have the effect of placing America s
I commercial enterprises automatically
under the direction and their existence
at the disposal Of the Government.
! President Wilson's proclamation for
railroad control came suddenly. In
! creasing confusion and congestion In
I; railroad operation brought about by
| uncertainty over tne roads future, led
him to act last evening following visits
at the White House Of Chairman Will
lard. of tho War Industries Board, and
members OF the Interstate Commerce
Commission.
Actual operations of the roads begir
January l to avoid confusion and effect
| economies in accounting. While al
boat lines and other possessions OF the
railroads go under Federal control siinui'
| taneously with the roads themselves
interurbans and street car lines for the
time are exempt. Should necessity arise
however. the President will take thes,
over also.
ECONOMY TO BE ENFORCED
Federal railroad control, regarded "a:
the most tremendous war stroke thu
President has yet made. will be prompt
ly followed by IA series OF economies
systems, terminals, equipment ant
revenues will be pooled and searching
inquiry started Immediately designed L
, eliminate nonessential passenger ant
freight traffic.
Travelling de luxe will become
thing Of the past under Government or
Grafton. Under Director General Nc
Adoo's regime TIE last ounce OF eff
cheney will be demanded out of preser
, equipment. Private car and eXtra-far
specials already have been curtailei
Dining coaches and club cars will b
; next among travel luxuries 10 go.
The President acted to free the artei
!, les Of trade. There Is expected to b
. an immediate accelerating of men an
: supplies to the seaboard, delayed duI
in grecent months by inability of raj
roads to cope with the problem becaus
of lack Of power.
, By his action also the property {
. hundreds OF thousands Of American II
= vestors in railroad stocks. amounting
more than $4,000, 900 900, comes unde
:. protection OF the Government during I'll
J war. It is believed an order will g
: out stopping trading in these stocl
. temporarily until the furry followin
the Governments action Is over
q Approximately 9s4,OoO miles of raj
: road tracks come under McAdoos supel
9 vision.
Just as the great transportation line
a reach out into every industrial cente
. virtually determining the success {
: failure Of all commercial enterprises, {
!, will the Government now determine whs
industries may survive or perish throug
ability or inability to move the
:, products