Evening capital news. (Boise, Idaho) 1901-1927, 1917-12-27

SONF { rCNSG WIFI GNCSS NV 20.
Today also Secretary McAdoo is to
confer with railroad executives rela-
tive to the compensation which the
government Is to pay the roads, based
on a three-year average beginning July.
1915. Should it be found impossible to
reach an agreement with the roads on
this basis. separate tribunal Will
hay. to be called in to settle the diff
Guilty as neither the president nor con-
gress can arbitrarily fix the compen-
yation.
President Wilson's proclamation for
railroad control came suddenly. In
creasing confusion and congestion In
railroad operation brought about by
uncertainty over the roads future, led
him to act following visits to the
White House of Chairman Willard Of
The war Industries board and members
of the interstate commerce commits
sion.
Actual operation of the roads be-
gins Jan. / to avoid confusion and eff
.ect economies in accounting.
INTERuReANs EXEMPT.
While all boat lines and other pos
yessions Of the railroads go under fed
sral control simultaneously with the
roads themselves, interurbans and
vtreet car lines for the time are ex-
.mpt. Should necessity arise, how
ever, the president will take these over
also.
Federal railroad control, regarded as
the most tremendous war stroke the
president has yet made, Will be
promptly followed by series OF econ
pmies. Systems, terminals. equipment
and revenue will be pooled and search
Ing inquiry started Immediately de-
sirned to eliminate non essential pas
senger and freight traffic.
WAR SERVICE FIRST.
The president will devote the roads
primarily to actual war service, equip
ment not needed for this being the
only service which will be utilized for
other purposes.
Much of this has been accomplished
already under the direction of the
railroads war board. This board Will
act as the agency through which Nc
Adoo will direct the roads at leasts for
the time being.
Fairfax Harrison is chairman and
expected to become a permanent as
THE LABOR PROBLEM.
Today the president will take up
with the railroad brotherhoods ques-
lions of labor affecting all employees
from the engineer to the track walker
There are pending demands for in
creased wages by employees and 1t Is
understood some increase will be
granted Immediately.
At the same time demands OF the
roads for increased rates and opposi-
ton of shippers to such increases are
involved in the countless problems
confronting McAdoo in assuming con-
troll. The president through McAdoo
can sweep away for the period of the
war all rulings by the interstate COM
merce commission on rates, service
etc.
Approximately 100000 railway en-
ployes of all branches are taken into
the federal service.
McAdoo will retain the services OF
the interstate commerce commission
in an advisory capacity to assist In ad-
iusting existing difficulties.
The president acted to free the ar
teries of trade. There Is expected to
be an Immediate accelerating of men
and supplies to the seaboard, delayed
during recent months by the inability
Of the railroads to cope with the prob
lem because of lack Of power.
INVESTORS PROTECTED.
By his action also the property OF
hundreds of thousands Of American in
vnators In railroad stocks amounting