Imperial Valley press., 1917-05-24
RAILROADS TO FACE
GIGANTIC PROBLEMS

Buckling down to the task Of meet
ling the governments needs, the rail-
Iroads will soon eliminate the "eXtras'
(which have made travel in America the
most luxurious in the world.
Fairfax Harrison, chairman of the
railroads "war board" has outlined
the measures which the railroads of
the country will put into effect as rap
idly as possible. All roads are now
considering ways and means of put
ting these measures in operation.
C. J. Mcdonald, assistant superin-
tendent of transportation for the S.
P. company, has been named by the
president of the road, William Sproule,
as the latter's special representative
for the Western department in the
War Boards organization. Mcdonald
succeeds C. F. Richardson, the South
tern Pacific's superintendent of trans.
portation, who has gone to Washing
ton as a member of the commission
of car service.
According to Mcdonald, the War
Board program provides that govern
nent interests shall have first call
upon all transportation facilities. Pub
| lie convenience is to be subordinated
to national need, and only such equip
ment as can be spared from govern
ment purposes will be devoted to
commercial purposes. BY pooling their
resources the railroads plan to avoid
duplication and render maximum serv-
ice with the means at their disposal.
The railroads have not yet felt the
sull force of the governments mobili-
cation plans. This will come with the
vast movement of troops and supplies
consequent upon the calling out of
100000 men to be drafted; the sum-
,,oning of the National Guard into
federal service; the concentration of
the regular army, and the establish
a,ent of military Settles" throughout
the land, equipped with railroad facili-
ties.
Railroad locomotives and cars can
not be built over night. No matter
low orders for construction are rushed
the new material cannot be secured
n time for the emergency. This is
he reason why the public luxuries
must be sacrificed in the interests of
stern necessity.
Transcontinental travel in which
equipment is used the longest, will be
he first to feel the effect of the new
order of things. Passenger train
schedules will be adjusted so as to
release locomotives, equipment and
crews for the more important busi-
ness of moving troops and supplies.
Heavier loading and prompt release Of
freight cars will have the same ef-
feet as increasing their number. Din
;ng cars may have to be reduced in
number and the elaborate and luxur-
| ious menus made to reflect the policy
Of the government.
These practices will also extend to
local conditions and the public may
expect to see the revision of such
schedules so that the local lines will
likewise contribute engines, crews and
equipment to the national need.
Some idea of the railroad equipment
required for the movement of troops
may be gained from statement pre-
Pared by Lieutenant Colonel Chauncey
E. Baker of the Quartermaster Corps,
III. S. A.
To move one field army of $4,000
men, technically known as brigade
of field army troops, requires a to.
tai Of 6,229 acrs, made up into 36e
trains, with as many locomotives.
These 6,229 cars would include 2,115
Passenger, 389 baggage, 1,055 box
I 1899 stock and IT'S flat cars.
Inasmuch as the army plans to move
a million men, the railroads have &
man size job ahead Of them.