Evening journal., 1917-12-29
TRANSFER Of LOCAL
ROADS UNMARKED
NoFormality as Government
Takes Control OF P. R. r.,
Reading and B. & 0.
TRAFFIC DIV, ION
MAY BE NEXT MOVE

Nh OL LA NO u
Control Of the railroads entering VIII
minston. in common with all other
lines throughout the country, yester-
day passed into the hands Of the gov
ernment.
Without formality and without any
thing unusual visible to the travelling
public or the Administrative or opera
tive forces Of the local carriers. this
momentous change in the controlling
powers Of the railroads became effec-
tive at noon.
Thereafter. the Pennsylvania, Balti-
more and Ohio and Philadelphia and
Reading Companies lose their indlvid-
ual identities for the period Of the war
and become merely parts Of the gigan-
tic continental railway system of the
federal government.
For the present the railroads entering
Wilmington and having their headquar-
sers here will be operated by their ex-
isting executives under the direction
and supervision of the present War
Board Of private railroad executives
which was yesterday appointed by Di-
rector General William G.. McAdoo to
take charge Of the temporary operation
OF the lines.
AS soon as the governments organi-
zation is perfected, however, il is eX-
sf..f rs.t1
tors will be appointed 10 assume charge
OF local offices.
Railroad history was made yesterday.
Taking over Of the nations lines by
the government in itself was an epoch
making event; but radical changes in
The methods Of operating the carriers
are expected to follow in rapid order
and, according to some. government
ownership is to be the inevitable result
Of the various moves.
For instance, gossip In railway cir
cles yesterday was to the effect that
sharply defined lines are to be drawn
regarding the handling Of freight and
passenger traffic Control Of the rail-
ways was due primarily to expedite
the movement Of supplies and materials
for The government and relieve mucn
OF the congestion that now exists In all
terminals.
Railroad heads pointed out here dur
ing the dav that they anticipated or
ders whereby all freight would be
transported by one line: all passenger
traffic would be handled by another,
while a third system might be used
exclusively for the speedy return Of
N empty cars TO their points Of origin.
Traffic on the railroads here contln-
a Yesterday as usual. Passengers
nd themselves riding on their re-
cilNe carriers a few minutes before
stroke Of 70, while a few minutes
,r they were the patrons Of the vast
ilvay system Of the American gov
ernment
Tickets purchased at any railway Of
fce were accepted on any Of the here
tofore competitive systems at their face
value after the railroads passed into
the control Of the government, and they
will continue TO be so accepted nde1-
nilely. it is expected.
Executive heads Of the Pennsylvania
and Philadelphia and Reading systems
remained in Washington throushout
yesterday, comforting with government
.NUIIINIr.. lucy NAf. MNN fNI''NfN w AN
turn until probably late tonight Mean
time. however. plans already are in the
making for the Withdrawal Of many
local trains that compete with one an
other. Schedules are being studied with
a view to making reyisions and pro-
vidine for those stations that will be
hit through the elimination Of trains,
Announcement Of such changes Is eX-
pected momentarily.
An economic factor in the govern
ment's control OF the carriers. It was
pointed out here. will be the slicine of
what are regarded by some as eXorbi-
tant salaries for railroad officials. In
many instances the head Of a big sys-
tenn Is the head Of its various subsid-
iaries, and draws salaries from the par
ent organization as well as from the
various underlying companies. It was
said that hereafter. only one salary will
be paid such officials.
Government control Of railroads WI
accomplish coordination and econom.
les which the railroads themselves
have sought TO put into effect since The
war, according to Robert c. Wright
tranlc manager Of the p. r r.. wht
spoke Yesterday afternoon at a lunch
con OF members Of the Pennsylvania
Trade Association.