New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-12-30

OF short hauling or other causes are
10 be established and used whenever
cxpedition and efficiency OF tTahlc
viii thereby be promoted; and X
difficulty rs experienced IN such
through routing. notice thereof shall
by carriers or shippers or both be
Given at once 20 the director By wire.
81. Existing schedules or rates
and outstanding orders Of the Inter
state Commerce Commission are 20
be Observed, but any such schedules
or rates Or orders as may hereafter
be found @ conflict with the puT-
poses OF said proclamation or with
this order shall be brought imme-
diately by wire TO the attention OF
the director"
Through the Railroad War Board
Mr.. McAdoo called on railroad presi-
dents 10 take up vigorously the cues
ton Of common use OF terminals and
parallel lines, wiping out competitive
prohibitions, and waving competitive
control or solicitation Of traffic. The
result OF this action may be the as
signment Of through traffic moving enc
way 20 certain systems, and the res
orvation Of other lineA for traffic
moving in an opposite direction.
A committee of presidents of rail-
ways entering New York was appointed
20 report as speedily as possible on
what rearrsngements of passenger and
freight train operations could be made
at the New Jersey waterfront Of
New York harbor TO increase efficiency.
IL was especially suggested that the
railroad heads arrange for pooling
docks, car floats and lighters and mar
keting facilities now controlled by indi-
vldual railroads.
The committee consists of Samuel
Rea, of the Pennsylvania; Frederick d.
Underwood, OF the Erie; Daniel Will
lard. of the Baltimore L. Ohio; William
II. Truesdale, Of the Lackawanna; Will
lam G.. Besler. of the New Jersey Cen
trail. and f. +. LOOMS, of the Lehigh
Valley.
At the same time a committee Of
public officials headed by Interstate
Commerce Commissioner Harlan, meet
ing in New York, decided 10 put into
effect "A drastic plan of forcing con-
signees TO remove their freight prompt
" from terminals.
In all these preparations for clearing
the channels of transportation the i'm
mediate thought uppermost in the
minds Of the men in charge is 10 get
coal 20 market, TO relieve the shiyering
Of householders in many sections where
"a cold wave now is being felt. 20 pro-
vide fuel TO make the wheels Of war in
dustries turn faster, or TO release the
ships now tied UP in harbors for lack
Of bunker coal.
The labor situation presents one Of
the most perplexlng problems with
which the government has to deal, a.
decision on il will Of necessity pre-
sent the governments general labor
policy during the war. which as yet
has not been clearly defined. Those
who have studied the situation believe
that government officials responsible
for a policy are for paying labor on q
basis Of the present cost OF living, and
many are Of the opinion that the gov
eminent is about 10 take measures
through its spreading control over the
necessities of life TO regulate in a more
general way prices charged for com
modties the people must use.
The brotherhoods' demands were pre-
scented 10 the managers committee Of
the railroads December /. and an an
swer was requested by December 81.
The men asked that the wage increases
be made effective January ], but i'm
recent conference with President VIII
son promised not 10 strike while the
negotiations were pending. II appeared
likely tonight that the brotherhoods
might not press their demands for per-
haps some time, in the belief that in
the present unsettled railroad situation
their request for wage raises would
meet better response at later time.
Permanent, Road Chiefs Say
The feeling among railway execu-
tives that government assumption OF
control makes government ownership
inevitable is based on two premises.
First, il is held that once the roads are
coOrdinated and operated as one sys-
TEN it will be impossible 10 go back TO
the old competitive system. The pub
lie, it IS declared, never would be
willing for such a gigantic combination
TO operate as private corporation.
The second reason is that stockholders
once guaranteed fair return on their
investments in railroad stocks would
not want 10 return TO the uncertainties
OF private operation.
The Eastern Railroads Operating
Committee viii be brought TO Wash.
lngton from Pittsburgh, officials said,
because it will be IN closer touch with
the War Board and because the centre
of congestion is shifting from the
Pittsburgh district 10 the seaboard. Its
Offices will be established in the build
ing occupied by the War Board.
Another reason for the apparently
cheerful acquiescence of railroad
heads 20 the governments plan of
operation is the assurance given bv
Mr.. McAdoo that roads which did not
make fair earnings in the pre-war
period will be provided with adequate
compensation from the government.
The foundation for this arrangement
will be laid in legislation now being
framed and 20 be introduced imme.
diately after President Wilson adj
dresses Congress next week.
Secretary McAdoo spent to-day in his
Office at the Treasury Building, but ar