Evening star., 1918-11-24
MAY HURRY ISSUE
AS TO RAILROADS
Mr.. McAdoo's Retirement
Brings Government Owner
I ship Question to Front.
WHO WILL SUCCEED HIM7

William g. McAdoo's resignation as
head Of the Treasury and railroad
administration has precipitated dis
cussion Of the future status of rail-
roads. an issue which had been some
what dormant up to the present
Indications were that q result Of his
rstirennsnt would be to throw into
Congress and into public discussion
much sooner than otherwise the issue
u whether government operation is
b continue indefinitely. whether this
VIII be extended to government own
ership or whether the roads will be
restored to private management, with
some sort Of federal revision to per-
NIT their continued pooling and uni
ned operation
Speculation AZ to Mr. McAdoo:s sue
eessors. however, took equal rank
with the discussion Of the future policy
toward the railroads.
i. Mr.. Glass Has Backers.
For the position as Secretary of the
TreaSury Representative Carter Glass
Sf Virginia, chairman Of the House
banking and currency committee, is
known to be under serious considera-
ton by several Of President Wilson's
oloSest advisers. Friends Of Mr.. Glass
say he has a reputation for being q
close student and constructive thinker
on financial enterprises.
For director general Of railroads
there appears to be much more doubt
OF the Presidents selection. Such q
man as Maj. Gen. George w. Goethals
10 wanted. IT was stated man with
executive ability not closely connected
heretofore with railroad management,
who could view problems from the
public standpoint and at the same
time could direct the staff and or
ganfzation already built up by Mr..
NcAdoo.
On the new director general of rail-
roads. whoever he may be, will de-
volve the task of guiding the roads
through the readjustment period. This
task will apply to many phases Of
e0Ployment conditions. rate practices.
tions, distribution of newly purchased
cars and locomotives, policies of
government financing of additions,
setterments. extensions and equip
ment purchases. continuation of re-
routing and short hauling, standard
i7ation of operating methods, and
measures to increase the traffic
capacity Of the rail system to handle
the big volume of freight expected
hy students of industrial develop
A>sOAAs NAAA Ah6 thC hcAt 1c" years.
May Indicate Future Attitude.
Upon the policies of the new rail di-
rector Will depend largely whether the
government shall continue combining
the railroads into homogeneous unit
or begin the breaking-up process in
preparation for resumption of private
control. From the Presidents selection
observers believe may be determined
to q large degree the attitude of the
administration on the railroads fu-
ture. This Is one reason why the nick
ing OF . new director general is re-
Garded as fraught with such unusual
sfgnincance. :,
Although Mr.. McAdoo will retire to
private life. his friends say that he
has no thought of refraining from ex-
pressing his ideas on governmental
policies from time to time Particularly
viii he remain interested in the rail-
road question, and those in close touch
with Mr.. McAdoo would not be sur
prfSed to see him come forward in q
few months with specific recommended
tions for the nations consideration Of
the railroad issue.
Mr.. McAdoo is said by his friends to
look with disfavor on restoration Of
individual railroad competition, and
there have been many reports that
eventually he would advocate complete
goverDment ownership. to be effected
BY exchange Of government bonds for
railroad securities Formally and Off
ctAlly. however. Mr.. McAdoo never has
indicated this attitude.