Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1917-11-26
SETTING THE SIGNALS FOR
FULL SPEED AHEAD

DADlCAL and revolutionary orgunl"u-
ton Of the railroads Of the country
huge transportation pool 20 move both
freight and armies is TO bring railroad
ing into coordination with tho other
activities now under Federal direction
and domination.
The Railroad War Board today is at
the throttle of the country's transporta-
tion lines 1t has its hand at the lever
not through Federal Communicating bat
through invitation OF the roads them
selves. Cars, locomotives tracks. ter
minas, coal and men, operated as
unit to secure Il maximum Of efficiency,
represent decisive and far,rcachng i'm
pulse toward winning the war.
Methods applied to stabilize and control
fuel. grain aud food had to ceutruiizc
under firm administration the equally i'm
portant means If their distribution. And
this drastic necessity was seen aa I'm
mediate and imperative. not b! stimulat,
Ing Administration officials, not b! red
demagogucs, but by the railroads them,
selves in u splendid accession oc patriot
Ism which matches their previous CO.
$ operation and sacrifice Of commercial
aims since the United States entered the
war.
Transportation is the arterial system Of
the body military. Efficiency and speed
in moving men and munitions TO France.
and food snd supplies here at home to
maintain the war work which sup
\ ports the field forces were impossible
under decentralized system. Individual
operation means competition, and this
In turn means duplication and wastuge ~
mechanical equipment and man-pOWer.
Recognition Of this menace IN the present
crisis of car shortage and freight con-
gestion brought quick and unexpected
proposals from the railway chiefs to the
lNdIlIOau " al l'OtIu' II - 'FoNtIIII''lL
control without Government ownership.
Profting and debating, the Government
freed from the responsibility Of operation,
and thus escapes the task "f Erecting
at short notice railroad administration,
definitely proved toilsouc and difficult
IN the fuel ana food administrations.
The railroad men have cleared the track
FOR war traffic. Thcy nave solved the
vital problem Of transportation, second
to none in supreme moment in way
time. Their proposals arc practical, the
clear-headed plans Of experienced men.
Competing passenger. service will be can
celed. luxury trains dropped from til"
schedules. Specially available lines Will
be diverted solely to carrying coal or
freight or food. Pooling Of rolling stock,
trackagc and equipment will permit con
solidation OF shipments OF like bulk Or
classification o. destination an myalu.
opio btilh wv bi'S competing - SNeIu'
Shipping Of uUnesscntals will be abau-
doned. Terminals win he used in com
mon, insurlng systematic grouping OF
commodities ana Nacuting enormous
quarters for legitimate storage OF raw
materials and manufactures to wait
supervised distribution.
Criticism will be urged that the pooling
: OF railroad resources violates the Shcr-
man antitrust luW. 1t does but what of
that? Abnormal conditions require cN-
traordinary measures. Statesmen must
be as civic-mlnded to accept as tine rail-
roads are courageous to offer the drastic
revoiutioniziag of the country5 trans
portation. Amy statute that bars victory
must be abrogated under the eminent
B lomain of national welfare. The public
4 must be as willing to cooperate as the
railroads are to sacrifice. The people are
bound to suffer in curtaiment of some
4 iconyeniences, maybe even OF comforts.
That is part OF their war bul den. and shey
are going TO bear it in the spirit Of un-
Grudging and cheerful patriotism.
tIt