Licking Valley courier. [volume] (West Liberty, Ky.) 19??-current, 1918-01-03
Wilson's Assumption Of Control
Of Railroads Is Long Step
Toward Efficiency.
GREAT POWERS FOR N'ADOO
Secretary Baker Predded by Senate
commlttee-Teutonlc Peace suc.
gestIons Made by Count czernIn
In Reply to the Russian BoI-
sheviki Proposals.
By EDWARD ". pIckARD.


The great event Of the week; Tor the :,
United States and, Indirectly for the
alIied cause, was President Wilson's
csticn r. sssipais .cortrsl o. tfc ran
ways aud steamship lines within the
borders ef this country. This step,
MIRA Wilson >said, had become mpera-
lively necessary because this is war
OF resources no lcss than of men, and
In order that the resources Of America
be completely mobilzed Tic f-. q silisior-
tation systems Of the country must be
organized and operated under a single
authority.
This single authority is William G.
McAdoo, secretary OF the treasury,
who was appointed director general
beenpse. as the president expressed It.
"his practieal experience peculiarly
fits him for the service and hls-author-
ity as secretary Of the treasury en-
ables him 10 coordinate as no other
man could the many financial inter-
ests which will be involvedr Mr.. Nc
Adoo assumed control at noon Friday.
Not only rail and steamship lines
are included In the presidents proc
lamatlon. hut also all terminals, sleep
ing and parlor cars private cars and
car lines. railroad elevators and ware,
hdases, railroad telegraph and tele-
phone lines and lnterurban electric
lines carrying freight only. Stockhold-
ers of railroads are guaranteed profit
equal at least to the average profits
during the three hscal years ending
June 30. JOLT. which win be about 5.2l
per cent on the capital investment.
Step ls Generally Commended.
General and hearty approval was
given President Wilson's action, alike
by railway officials, financIers and the
public. The first nnmed gaFe assur-
ance Of their earnest cooperation with
Director General McAdoe and In rear
~ every Instance declared their be-
lief that the plan, adopted Swould be
entirely satisfactory. They had known
for some time that some such thing
must be done, for the committee OF
executives that has heen In large meas
ure directing the operation of railways
though doing excellent and dlslnter-
ested work. had been unable to solve
the problem Of equitable distribution
OF earnings Complete unity Of opera
ton will permit Of this. and win re
suit in more efficient conduct than has
iAbeen possible heretofore.
| ttIt Is probable that, under Mr. Nc
Aaoos direction, competition for earn
InrS. .belng eliminated, many comnetini
trains will be withdrawn and passen
ger tfQflc will be largely curtaIled
There will be a general shifting o
rolling stock and much freight equip
,ment Will be sent to eastern terri
tory from the South and West to re
lieve the congestion Of transportation
Of war materials, Naturally, every
thing else win be subordlnated to IN
war needs of the Aailon. II is not M
likely that passenger rates will b
raised TO three cents'a mile. 81
The one element ofSthc populatlo
that may not entirely approve Of 90,
ernment control Is the railway brotl
erhoods. Their opportunity to ei
force by strike their demands for Il