The Butler weekly times., 1918-01-03
U. S. IN CHARGE OF RAILWAYS
Secretary McAdoo in Charge. Orders
All Throttles Opened Wide

4
Washington, Dec. 28.-Without the
Sigh test ceremony, tthe-1 the United States
government at noon, Washington
time. took over@ all active direction
of the national. railway system.
When Mr.. McAdoo automatically
took over the railroads he was in con-
ference with seven railroad execu-
tives. For nearly two hours he dis
cussed with them matters OF detail
and then automatically drafted all of
them and all other railroad executives
to assist him in his big task. And,
although Mr.. McAdoo actually took
over the. roads at IL o'clock, it was
half an hour later before Hale Hol-
den noticed the time and called the
cohferecs' attention to the fact that
they had all been government officials
for half an hour.
As result OF the conference, Die
tator McAdoo announced that all
railway officials would be continued
in their present jobs; that the rail-
road war board OF railway executives
would continue as it has since its or
ganization and would act as his ad-
visers; that the operating committee
III vice presidents would remain on
the job and that, 'the American Rail !
way association would continue to ad-
wise what measures should be taken |
to increase efficiency,
I'm fact" explained Mr.. McAdoo,
there will be no change whatever at
this time Operation will continue
and the orders OF the responsible Of
ficials will have all Of the force of
governmental mandates. The result
will, we hope, be very beneficial"
Secretary McAdoo explained that
for the present there would be no
general order issued designed to CO.
ordinate the various systems. There
also will be delay in putting into ef-
feet the proposed general pooling
agreement All these matters will be
held in allegiance until the railway
presidents can have an opportunity t"
submit to the dictator their recon-
regarding operation.
Hale 1T0Ten, actlNg as SPOKESMAN
for the railroad men who participated
in the conference, pledged their Ell
husiastic cooperation to Secretary
McAdoo. )
1--WE are all prepared to pull to-
,ethcr, he said, with you as thel
stroke oar. We are hopeful we will
'e able to give you the maximum OF
patriotic service. Whatever orders
'ou may give us will be carried out
For this frank acceptance of the h
lew order of things McAdoo ex-
'ressed his warinest appreciation. He :
leclared he believed it would mater !
ally tighten his general task. :,
Mr.. McAdoo very frankly told the 6
ailway executives who were present II
hat in accepting his new duties he in y
ended drafting them for war SER tt
ice. He pointed out to them he c
'ould have need OF all of their tech a
ical knowledge and they agreed he x
hould get it at all times. = =
The railway presidents who partici- =,
ated in the conference included Hale u
Iolden, Daniel Willard, Robert S. j,
ovett, Samuel Rea, Howard Elliott. q
airfax Harrison and Julius krutt- tt
:hnitt. They were authorized to tf
'cak for the majority of the railway III III
<ecutves of the country. -. -,
The only statement forthcoming ~
ON Mr.. McAdoo prior to his taking in
yer the roads was there would be til
} immediate sweeping changes. His b;
titude will be one of making haste n
owly" it was stated, but he intends M
at the roads shall be used right IN
o1p the start as single system so M m
at the greatest possible efficiency .! D.
n be secured. -,
That there will be numerous ~
anges later on was the conviction of
many persons familiar with the by
neral situation. 1t is known certain IL
ilroad executives have done every tel
ing possible to hamper the govern We
IN in various ways. These men will ia
superseded in authority, officials ac'
clared, il they do not play fair" at tt.s
times. 80.
Members OF the railroad war board tht
d informed Secretary McAdoo they pc;
re ready to quit if he wanted them the
1t was expected, however, for the rea
ne being at least, they would hold as
, although no official announce
mt to that effect yet has been 4
lde.
Prior to assuming his new duties as :.
lrnad dictator, William Gibbs Nc
90. secretary of the treasury. held \
-eral conferences. He met the in Gle
state commerce commission, over be
ose orders he now reigns supreme pla
with the railway war board, the
ich up until today has been actively era era
Getting the operations of the rail- .:M .a.l
Ids. -
The first order of Secretary Nc anC
90 already was prepared. 1t was anc
be issued during the day. In brief of
assured the essentials which will the
ieve congestion and provides: salt