Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-12-17
PRACTICAL MEN NEEDED
TO OPERATE RAILROADS
Experience OF Lincoln Recalled in
Dealing With Transportation
Problem of War.
PATIENCE WITH GENERALS
Assistant Secretary Of War Told
Railroad Men Some Officers Would
Give Them More Trouble Than
They Would Ever Give Enemy.

Richmond railroad executives yes
icrday pointed 10 the fact that all
records Of The War Department made
it clear that every official OF the gov
crnmcnt charged with The operation
30 the railroads OF which President
Lincoln took control as war meas
ure during the War Between The
states was emphatic and constant in
rccomm cnding that only practical and
experienced RAILROAD men should
operate and have control over The roads.
'ln 1862 the Secretary OF War" said
prominent official yesterday, was SO
convinced of the soundncss OF this
view. he issued an order containing
tho following paragraph:
mo officer. whatever may he his
rank. will interfere with the running
OF the cars, as directed by tho super
intcndcnt OF the road. Any one who
so intcrfcres Will be dismissed from
tho service for disobcdence OF orders"
With that order OF record as the re-
suit OF some ten months of govern
mcnt control of the few railroads tina;
had been taken over by the govern
mcnt during the War Between the
States, the present proposal 10 place
the existing railroad systems under q
dictator makes it interesting and in
structive TO recall some OF the many
opinions as to government control
found in the archives OF the War De-
partmcnt.
LINCOLN NAMED
RAILROAD DICTATORS
In January. 1867 Congress author
lied the Pres dcnt when, in his judg-
mcnt tho public safety may require
ILL.," 10 take possession OF any or OF
all OF the railroad or telegraph lines
and 10 operate them in the manner
most conducive 10 the safety and in
tcrcst OF the government"
President Lincoln thcreupon made
Thomas y. Scott. one OF the vice prcsi-
dents of the Pennsylvania Railroad
and later u. c. McCallum. OF the Eric
Railroad. practical dictators OF the
railroads and the tclcEraphs OF the
country. After many months OF con-
nic:s with various military commanders
who tried TO manage different roads as
they wished Mcssrs. Scott and Mccall
lum resigned and General Herman
Ilaupt. "A practical railroad man, was
placed in charge OF the railroads the
President hI! taken over.
liaupt worked We'll with General Nc
bowel but General Pope. as Nc
powclIs successor. entirely disre-
car,icd and treated him with such dis
The service.
Within ton days there is record that
the Secretary of War telcsraphcd TO
him:
Como back Immediately. Cannot get
IN without YOU. Not wheel moving"
How We'll the War Department sup
uurirI his determination 10 have only
practical railroad men operate the rail-
roads ~ shown by Il telegram sent TO
General liaupt soon after his return
- iuty after receiving that SUNNI onS
frpsn tn" Secretary OF War. General
S:ursi, had refused TO obey liaupt's
rulings a. TO = troop movement where
upon th" War Department sent to
lIaupt This telegram:
No military officer has any authority
10 intcrfei with your control over rail
roads. SHOW This TO General S;urGis,
and If hc attempts 10 interfere / viii
..rrcst hlm.n