The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1917-12-28
TAXI DRIVER SLUCCED, ROBBED
war BUSINESS HAS
CLEAR RlchT-OF-WAY

n-E640 Leased "lFe.D
WASHINGTON, ID. c., %.
The great American rail-
road, leased and operated by
the United States, came into
existence at noon today.
War business has the right
of way henceforth.
Director General McAdoo
placed the existing war board OF
private railroad executives in
charge Of temporary operation OF
the nations lines.
This was the sole official an
nouncement following 80 min
ute conference between McAdoo
and the executives during which
the roads of the country quietly
passed from private to federal
control on the hour of IL.
On the transportation system
of the country depends largely
what will happen to the kaiser in
1918, McAdoo says.
And upon McAdoo's administra-
tion of the roads under federal
control depends eventual govern.
ment ownership, politicians de-
clare.
Pooling Order First.
In a little office, off those occu-
pied by the members of the inter-
state commerce commission, today
McAdoo took up his great work.
His first order was expected to
call for pooling of all freight
equipment, terminals, ETC., that
may contribute to immediate re-
lief of freight congestion. Here
after shipments will be sent over
the most direct line regardless OF
their origin.
McAdoo's intentions. pending
enactment of needed Legislation
by congress, are to disturb pres
ent operation of the railroads as
little as possible. He is drawing
plans for a highly centralized
business organization, the fabric
of which was officially outlined
to the United Press today, as fol-
lows:
Plan of Control.
w. G. McAdoo, as director gen.
eral and the single controlling
head, assuming all powers and all
responsibility.
An assistant director general
in personal advisory capacity to
the director general. This man
will be one of broad railroad and
financial experience, tho not Off
cially connected with any railroad,
to be a buffer" between railroad
interests and the director general.
John Shelton Williams, former
president of the Seaboard and
present controller of the cur
rency, is mentioned for this post.
Three chiefs, upon whose shout
ders will fall the actual operation.
These will be a director of opera
lions, a director of traffic and a
director of finance.
Big Job for Someone.
The director of operations will
be the man told to get cars rolling
in the most efficient, economic
and practical manner, regardless
of any interests except those OF
the public and the winning of the
war.
He would enforce the vast pool
ing of rolling stock, terminals and
other equipment made possible by
government administration. In
short, all problems of actual ply
steal operation will be up to this
man, subject, of course, to direc-
ton of McAdoo.
In view of his duties, this man,
II was regarded as a certainty,
will be some broad-visioned rail-
road operator. Several, including
Daniel Willard, president of the
Baltimore e. Ohio; Hale Holden,
president of the Burlington, and
Fairfax Harrison, president of the
Southern, are mentioned.
Congress to Act.
Legislation to be asked of con-
gress Immediately after the recess,
besides defining the fiscal rela-
tionship of the plan, will provide
for transferring to Uncle Sans
payroll the million and half
railroad workers, for creating a
wage adjustment board or direc.
tor, and probably for the proven
ton of strikes, it was stated today
McAdoo plans to slice millions
OF uselessly spent dollars from
the payrolls.
This is part of the economy
plan which he will eventually put
into effect. Every atom Of extra
gliding on the railroad dollar