The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-12-11
Chairman AdamsOn Takes Slap
at r.. r. Efficiency.
Continue Control Until Proper
Management Is Secured.
AWAIT PRESIDENTS MESSAGE
Special One on Railroads VIII
Outline His Policy.
Report McAdoO Is Leading Adj
vOcate of Govt Operation.

Washington, Dec. 11.-At the OPEN
ing of the hearing today by the joint
congressional committee investigating
transportation problems. Chairman
Adamson, of the house commerce COM
mittee, declared that President VIII
son probably would have to take over
the railroads during the war and hold
them after the war until congress can
provide some plan for proper manage
ment and efficient operation in peace
and war;
Kansans Among First Witnesses.
The committee today began heading
railroad commissioners from Wiscon-
sin, Indiana, Minnesota, Nevada and
Kansas. Carl J. jackson of the Wis
consin commission was the first wit
ness and explained the workings of
that body.
Pressure by Cabinet Members
Members of President Wilson's
cabinet today were bringing pressure
to bear on him to take over the rail-
roads and run them for the period OF
the war
Secretary of the Treasury McAdoo,
| it was learned today on unquestion-
able authority, is the leading advocate
of government control. He urged the
president to cut the Gordian knot of
the whole transportation problem by
seizing the country's railroads and
their efficient operation to win the
war.
| McAdoo and other cabinet members
pressed their views at this afternoon
J cabinet meeting.
Message i'm Few Days.
The same high authority stated that
the president undoubtedly will go be-
| fore congress with a railroad message
! in few days. This message is to be
written after today's cabinet meeting
1t was learned today that it will in
/ clude proposals which. the railroads
will regard as strong measures in
1 view of the railroad executives pro-
gram as outlined to the president yes
| terday
| The president is declared to have
| flatly rejected the railroad terms OF
| higher rates, draft exemption for en-
| ployes, and government aid in obtain
ing financial credits
AS result the railroads war board
sought an appointment with the
president to make a last stand. He
will receive them tomorrow afternoon
| at the White House.
Our consistent effort has been to
be of service to the nation in time of
! war" said Chairman Fairfax Harri-
T, son, of the board today. I'VE hope
that we may be able to be of assis-
tance to the president in respect to any
/ action he may contemplate"
r. II. Board Gets Hearing.
Washington, Dec. 1.-THE railroads
war board today asked President VIII
| son to receive its members for a con-
ference which was arranged for
( Wednesday afternoon.
| The president today has the rail-
roads terms-a government traffic Of
! ficer to avoid abuse of priority, speedy
| delivery of ordered equipment, gov
ernment aid in obtaining new capital
on the railroads own credit, higher
rates in eastern territory and draft
exemption for railroad workers.
The president, however. is said to
favor either outright government man
! agement for the war or appointment
of a personal representative to sit
with the present railroads war board
Thru this agent. the president
might order any action he deemed
necessary and seize any line which re-
fused to obey.
The air was cleared by the railroads
disavowal of any desire to repeal the
antitrust and anti-pooling acts or
seek a billion dollar loan. These pro-
posals faced bitter opposition in con-
| Press