Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1917-12-28
M'ADOO TOOK
ROADS LEVER
HIGH TWELVE
Pooling of Traffic First
Move to Set Wheels
Turning,

Washington, Dec. 2S.-COmplete
control and operation Of American
railroads ior the duration Of the
war today passed into the hands of
the United States government.
sc noon the hour fixed by Pres
ident Wilson's proclamation ef-
iecting governmental possession,
Secretary McAd00. the new d.
rector Of railroads, was ready
with his first official order design.
ed 10 pool all traffic, equipment
aud terminals to relieve the con-
gesli0n which has gripped the
country since the outbreak of the
war.
The Immediate result Of the order
will be to wipe out competition and
reroute traffic over the shortest lines.
Shipments viii move directly to their
destination regardless Of the company
with which they originate and termin-
ais will be used in common TO effect
maximum efficiency Speedy move
ment Of freight will be the first step
Of the director general.
In a statement issued last night Mr..
McAdoo said he had given almost no
thought TO the personnel of his staff,
but made 1t clear that until his plans
mature railroad operation will be
conducted through existing railroad
organizations"
win Slice Big Salaries.
Retention of present railroad Of
fcials and employees seems assured
but indications are that huge salaries
Of railroad executives viii be reduced
and wages Of operatives increased.
President Wilson conferred with
chiefs Of four railroad brotherhoods
yesterday and received their pledge OF
loyalty TO government administration
At noon today the approximately
$4,000 miles OF American railway sys-
TENS silently merged into one great
continental chain for the winning o.
the war.
Great Event Transformations.
Under President Wilson's decision
the great event. regarded by many 81
the opening of a new epoch in gov
eminent operation and control Of pub
lie utilities passed by without an!
I formal ceremony.
Director General McAdoo was con
terring al the time with the members
Of the railroads war board and r. S
Loyett chairman of the priority ship
ment committee
The members Of the war board
all railroad executives who have beef
working within the limitations of law
10 do what the government itself nov
purposes 10 omplish--pledged thei
support TO the government admins
ration as has practically every rail
road man in the country.
Orders for the actual unifcation @
the lines, common use OF facilitie
and equipment which are expected t
raise the freight jam Immediately vii
be the first results.
Is Presidents Birthday.
Coincident with the taking over c
The railroads President Wilson is cele
braiIng his 6lst birthday. No specis
ceremony is planned at the Whit
house as the war time rush at wor
makes impossible any deviation in tn
Presidents daily routine.
bFhlIs war DOhFus
As the first practical step in II
governments operation Of railroad
\ Director General McAdoo drafted ii
\, railroads war board into the govern
Y ment service TO work out plans
unified operation and submit them
MIN approval
.e conclusion of the conferent
viii Ie railroad heads Mr. Meade
z announced he had called on the men
bers Of the railroad war board to woI
out q general plan OF operation.
il Is indicated that the war boai
VIII continue as the operating boz
IN charge OF the country's roads.
Will be assisted by It's numerous cor
mittees throughout the country. 1
Guiding the operating committee
eastern roads headed by A. W, Thorn
son Of the Baltimore & Ohio.
What ever can be done TO make &
roads more efficient" said Mr.. NJ
Adoo, will be done as soon as we fiji
out what is necessary"
Mr.. MCAduo said he had made
arrangements in regard to a staff. b
Inc presence at the conference of Jol
Barton Payne of Chicago, head of t
shipping boards legal staff, led
some speculation that Mr.. Payne mig
become an assistant to the direct
general.
The railroad heads were visibly
better frame Of mind after the co
Terence than they were before, TALK
With the director general. Hale HI
den OF the Burlington said that I
railroad heads Immediately would /
about working out plan OF railro
economy and the pooling of freight
The following five railroad exec
yves. each a leader in the business
transportation, will work out I
plans for welding 100000 miles
railroad into one great continent
system for winning the war: FART
Harrison, president of the Souths
Railway; Julius Kruttschnitt, cha
man OF the board Of the Southern !