The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1918-09-02
M'AD0O'S MESSAGE
TO RAILROAD MEN
Suggests They Be Given Every Oppor'
tnnity To Participate In Labor
Day Celebration.

/ Washington, D. c.. Sept. i.--Drec'
tor-General McAdoo today sent the
following Labor Day message TO all
regional directors:
In view OF the colossal war in
(which America Is a party comeaean'
and of the gravity of the issues In
vo,ved, concerning as they do the
lives and liberties of the people OF the
world. the celebration of Labor Day,
1919. possesses a special significance
! | shall he glad. therefore, II you
| win permit as many railroad EN-
] ployes to participate in the fortheom-
! ing Labor Day celebration throughout
the country as will not hamper essen<
tiA railroad operations The pres
sure upon transportation is so great
hat il rs, of course, important not to
reduce train service for even day.
bur doubtless it will be possible, by
making preparations In advance, TO
give i larger number OF employees ND
erty that day than could otherwise be
done
Not only rs the welfare OF labor
concerned in this war. but the wei
fare of every class Of people In
America and throughout the world
The millions OF Americas splendid
sons we are sending to Europe TO set
tie these issues in our favor cannot
DO their part of this great job unless
we. each and every one OF US who stay
at home, do our part equally well and
on time Any failure to produce at
home the things our men must nave
il they are 10 fight successfully would
mean disaster. Such a disaster would
he less appalling in the injury TO. or
destruction of. our material interests
than In the ST. bjugation, II not the de-
struction, OF the ideals for Whlch
America stands and sheds her blood
These ideals are the very foundation
of Cf,rist's doctrines and OF pnodeTn
C.hristia civilization IT Is neon
ceiyable that such a calamity as
German victory can befali the world
since America entered the conflict I'M
less we at home fail to do our duty
and our full share. I have no DOUBT
about Americas performance OF her
duty, and that means that I have no
doubt of the patriotism and Wiling
ness OF every class OF our people, In
Guiding labor. to strive and sacrifice
and fight on until the glorious victory
Is won.
The railroad men of the United
States have a duty of transcendent
i'm portance-the duty Of keeping
alive and efficient the transportation
system of the country. Without ade-
quate and uninterrupted railroad
service, delivered on time al the
time, the essential war Industries
of the nation win be helpless and
the sacrifices Of blood and treasure
win be of no avail The railroads OF
the United States are tho most vita
organ of our entire Industrial and
economic life They must function al
the highest point OF efficSency. and
know that / can count on the loyalty
! and patriotic cooperation OF the rail-
road employees OF the United States ir
| rendering to our beloved country this
| hest service of which they are ca
pablo .--.--.-4----
Let us, on Labor Day. 1918, rededi
I cats ourselves to the noble cause To-
W hich we fight Let us resolve neve
to stop until military oppression an
all that It represents b wiped mon
the face Of tho earth. List Ms stan'
Ishouiier to shoulder with Cur splen
did sons. whose unbroken ranks II
France have stopped tho kaiser an
given him a new conception OF on
lighting power. Americas triumph Il
this war viii then be inevitable
Americas victory Will give new
lrneaning TO liberty and democrat
throughout the wor4d