The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-12-28
Only Concerns Vital to War
Work Can Expect to Get Cars.
McAdoo Laying Foundation for
Gigantic Organization.
ACTION ENDS COAL FAMINE
May Never Return to Private
Ownership, Says Union Head.
Says Govt Control Doesn't
Make Strikes Reasonable.
BY ROBERT j. BENDER

tries of America today are virtually
under federal war control as a result
of President Wilson's proclamation
for government operation of the rali-
roads.
Leaders of commercial enterprises,
working here for the government fed-
eral officials and representatives OF
labor agree. that the nation is placed
now on a war footing under the CEN
tralized guidance of President Wilson
and Secretary of the Treasury Nc
Adoo.
McAdoo. who still retains his post
at the head of the treasury depart
ment is laboring to lay the founda-
tions of stupendous organization work
before him. Railroad oficlals mere
and thruout the country assured him
of their hearty cooperation and sup
port Rise in railroad stocks on the
stock exchange merely reflects the
roads confidence in the new order.
they declared.
The first act of McAdoo. prelirni-
nary to actually starting operation OF
the roads January l. will be selection
of a board of directors. This viii
include representatives of the railroad
war board, Interstate commerce com
mission, priority board and other
agencies now engaged directly or IN
directly in direction of transportation
work here. Much of the actual ad-
ministration of the roads must be done
1 for the time, at least, thru existing
agencies. Later, as need for further
/ coordination develops McAdoo will al
ter his working arrangement.
Drastic Regulating of Freight.
All industrial enterprises are affect
| ed by the presidents order. Drastic
! regulations to supply and accommo-
date only those commercial vital to
/ the war work are expected.
I Txx.1 afra1
government. Questions of legislation
to protect their interests, wage dispute
| problems and other matters affecting
labor is under discussion between the
| president and the brotherhood chiefs.
| 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.
| spokesman brotherhood leaders, to-
day.
Capitalization of authority over the
roads will have a far-rea ching aspect
on the people of the country. II
promises immediate relief to districts
suffering from coal famine and many
points destitute of needed supplies
'It is absolutely essential for re-
lief of congestion said Fuel Admin
istrator Garfield today. II look for
ward to an early settlement of the
coal situation as a result of the new
| control"
In the far-reaching orderio of the
president there was seen today the
first move toward eventual govern
ment ownership of the nations roads.
Railroads labor leaders were out
spoken in their prophecies.
May BE Permanent Plan.
"If the government shows it can
op rate the roads more efficiently in
the public interest thar can selfish
private interests, it isn't likely the
roads will be returned to private man
Iagement." sad A b. Garretson, chief
of the railroad conductors. THE his
tory of the world does not show any
retrograde moven- ents."
The nature of railroad legislation
! which the pre- sident is expected to
ask soon of congress has not been is
closed. So far as it affects labor.
Garretson and officials refused to
discuss
The status of railroad employees is
not altered by the change of admin
is ration, Garretson said. The em-
ployes have the same status as when
the railrca1 goes into the ha.lds of a
federal receiver. Strikes will not be
reasonable under existing laws, he
emphasized.
No legislation to alter to strengthen
the present standing of railroad work.
ers will be asked, Garretson said. be-
cause none is necessary"
! While details of the governments
procedure must be worked out, the
! railroad war board stated today that
the roads have been preparing for the
( presidents action and are ready for
prompt and effective cooperation
; Measures of further travel economy
and strict rulings limiting supplies and
/ transportation facilities first to those
1 industries contributing to the war will
! have the effect of placing Americas
| commercial enterprises automatically
under the direction and their exist
ence at the disposal of the govern
ment
Bureau of Treasury Dept.
McAdoo, it is understood, will de-
, vote most of his time to his new work
: with the probability that Controller of
| the Currency John Shelton Williams
will act as his right hand man.
| conference with railroad executives
probably will be called Immediately in
connection with the organization work.
/ 1t is probable the financial end OF
the railroad operation will be handled
by existing treasury department bu-
] reaus. Recent filling of all vacancies
in assistant secretaryships is taken to
pressage such a plan of operation
Mexican Bandit Executed.
washington, Dec 2s.=One of four
| Mexican cattle thieves who murdered
Z I GO Sharpe and Clarence Sellers