Evening capital news. (Boise, Idaho) 1901-1927, 1917-12-27
COUNTRY PLACED
ON WAR FOOTING
BY THE PRESIDENT
Proclamation Taking Over
Railroads Places Business
of Entire Nation Under
Centralized Guidance of
Government.

WASHINGTON. DEC. 27-ALL IN
DUSTRIES OF AMERICA TODAY
ARE VIRTUALLY UNDER FED
ERAL CONTROL. AS A RESULT OF
PRESIDENT WILSON'S pROCEA-
NATION FOR GOVERNMENT OP-
ET;ATIoN OF THE RAILROADS.
LEADERS OF COMMERCIAL EN-
TERPRISES WORKING HERE FOR
THE GOVERNMENT, FEDERAL Of
FTCIALS AND REPRESENTATIVES,
OF LABOR AGREED TODAY THAT
THE NATION IS PLACED NOW ON
A WAR FOOTING UNDER THE
CENTRALIZED GUIDANCE OF
PRESIDENT WILSON AND SECRE-
TARY OF THE TREASURY M'ADOO.
McAdoo, who still retains his post
at the head of the treasury depart
ment, was laboring early laying the
foundation of stupendous organization
work, before him. Railroad officials
here and throughout the country as
sured him of their hearty co-opera-
tion and support Rise in railroad
stocks, marking early returns on the
stock exchange merely reflects the
roads confidence in the new order,
they declared.
TO SELECT DIRECTORS.
The first act of McAdoo, preliminary
to actually starting operation of the
roads Jan. 1, will be selection of a
board of directors This will In
clude representatives of the railroad
war board, the interstate commerce
commission, priority board and other
agencies now engaged directly or in
directly in direction of transportation
work here Much of the actual admin
istration of the roads must be done for
the time, at least, through existing
agencies. Later, as need for further
CO. ordination develops, McAdoo Will
alter his working arrangement.
All industrial enterprises are affect
ed by the presidents order Drastic
regulations to supply and accommo-
date only those commercial enterprises
vital to the war work are expected.
Railroad employees stand behind the
government.
CHIEFS MEET PRESIDENT.
Questions of legislation to protect
their interests. wage dispute problems
and other matters affecting labor, Will
be discussed at conference between the
president and the brotherhood chiefs
this afternoon.
1.-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
snok esman for the brotherhood lead
ers today.
Capitalization of authority over the
roads will have a far reaching erect
on the people of the country. 1t prom
ises Immediate relief to districts sur
fering from coal famine and many
points destitute of needed supplies.
EVENTUALLY OWNERSHIP
.Jt Is absolutely essential for relief
of congestion" said Fuel Administrators
Garfield. today II look forward to an
early betterment of the coal situation
as a result of the new control.
In the far reaching order or the
president there was seen today the
first move toward eventual govern
ment ownership of the nations ra1i-
roads. Oflcials in confidence admitted
the possibility. Railroad labor lead
ers were outspoken in their prophe-
sizes.
MAY NOT BE RETURNED.
''If the government shows 1t can
operate the roads more eficiently In
the public interest than can selfish pri-
vate interests, It isn't likely the roaos
will be returned to private manage
ment," said A. p. Garretson. chief or
the railroad conduc7ors. THE history
Of the world doesn't show any retro
grade movements"
The nature of railroad legislation
was the point which the president Is
expected to ask congress to disclose
So far as II affects labor. Garrison and
officials refused to discuss 1t until aft
er the conference between brotherhood
leaders and the president this after
noon.
oTATUS NOT CHANGED.
The status Of railroad employees II
not altered by the change Of admins