The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1917-12-28
others criticised the appointment Of Sec
rotary Mead as director general
r-J,n 70 OuARfion.

, others criticised the appointment Of Sec
, rotary McAdoo as director general
The Labor Question.
The labor question under government
! operation was discussed with President
Wilson during the day with the heads
Of the four railroad brotherhoods, who
/ renewed their plcdg. Of loyalty to gov
eminent administration. They spen'
about an hour and 4 half with the Pres!-
dent and. 1t Is understood. they received
assurances that most railway employees
would not he liable to the next or even
the second draft call by being placed In
the second draft classification.
Mr.. McAdoo tonight made his first pub
lie utterancc since his appointment last
night. In Il statement saying that at least
until he has time TO mature his plans
and policies. railroad operation will be
conducted through existing railroad or
ganization."
McAdoo's Sratement.
This now task is Of great magnitude
and dtiliculty.' said Mr.. McAdoo. 1T
cannot he done IN moment, and Il can
not be done at all unless the people nf
the United States. rs well az the sficers
and employees OF the railroads give TO
, tn" railroad director their Intelligent and
patriotic support. I earnestly seek the
cooperation and assistance Of every good
citizen IN this great work
The operation OF tho railroads as a
! thoroughly unified system is Of funda =
! mental importance 10 the success Of the
war. Without II We cannot get the et-
f"ct'rc use Of our resources The SUI
prenie rest In this wnr will probably
com" in the year 1915. Victory will de-
pend upon our speed and efficiency.
We cnn get neither speed nor efficiency
unless tho railroads arc equal TO the de-
mands Of the situation.
Vigorous Policy.
II can only Say at the moment that
the problem will be taken hold Of vlgor-
onsly and that plans and policies Will
! b. announced from time to time az rap
idly rs It is possible TO mature them.
Meanwhile the business will be con-
Quoted through existing railroad organt-
cations with all tho support and power
Of the government assorted In behalf OF
moro efficient and satisfactory opera
ton.
The director general of railroads.
upon invitation of the interstate COM
merce commission. has accepted offices
in the Interstate commerce building.
Tho commission has also placed At tie
disposal Of the director the entire work
and facilities OF tho commission
LoVstt to Remaip.
Ii is considered probable that Mr.. Nc
Adoo will retain tho services of Judge
Robert S. Lovett director OF priorl:p
for tho war industries bonrad. with
whom he conferred ct leagth today. ami
that railroads will he Instructed Ia con-
tinue TO receive orders from that
source. Another priority question to be
10 bot p rp-nrHIpnfipv
preferential shipment instructions now
issued by the fuel and food Administered
lions and army Quarterinasters through
Il single government transpOr tation d.
rector to supervise only government
shipments.
The director generals advisers have
recommended creation OF such An
agency. emphasizing that the govern
msnt railroad admins tratinn must JUS
tlfy Itself immediately by providing for
speedlcr transpcrta tinn or coal. Mt. NJ
Adoo Is known tn have given serious
thought IN the coal situation and 70
have received suggestions that r. rep
resentn,ivs OF the fuel Administration Dc
included IN his staff.
no Appropriation
Mr. McAdoo does not expect an az
propriation for administering govern
ment operation. and his staff probably
probably Will be composed largely OF
men aiready on the government or rail-
road pay rolls. He Will receive no ad :
dItional salary for acting In tho dual
capacity Of director general OF rail-
roats and secretary of tho treasury. II
Is ,xpetCed he also Will retain the serE-
ices OF the railroads committee when
hns been administering the equipment
pool, with headquarters at PITTSBURGH.
The pending demand Of the four rail-
WV brothorhoods for n forty per cent
WACO tnoreasn will be considered proba-
bly, In q month or two. along with the
more sweeping question Of higher wages
for eli employees, including those unor-
sani1ed The director generals advisers
WILL suggest that q board Of managers
DO appointed to ,hresh out general wags