The Pulaskian., 1918-01-04
UNITED STATES TO CONTROL RAILROADS
NEW DIRECTOR ISSUED ORDERS WIPiNG OUT COMPETITIVE
 CONDITIONS.
WILL NOT DISRUPT LINES
Declares Operation of Railroads as Thoroughly Unified System Is of Fundamental importance To the
 Success of the War.

Washington. Immediately after American railroads went under gov EernIuent operation, Director General lMcAdoo issued his first official order wipiEg out competitive conditions and providing for complete pooling of traf. Gc, equipment, terminals and trackage facilities and for the retention of pres ent officers and employees.
 The immediate result will be rerout- ing Of traffic over shortest lines, re gardless of the company with which Shipments originate, and the common use of terminals to effect maximum ef- flciency Without anticipating won yers under the new plan, officials look forward to material improvement in the present traffic congestion within a few weeks.
 Speedy movement of freight will be the first aim of the director general. But problems whose solution must press close on the heels of actual transportation questions are the equit- able reimbursement of roads for the use of their property on the basis of lpre-war earnings, increased wages for railroad employees, financing of neces- sary Improvements, building of addi- tional lines or facilities and the tan gled priority situation. Before most of these questions can be settled special legislation will be necessary, and to urge this President Wilson is preparing a message to be delivered to Congress soon after it eonvenes after the holidays recess. Legislation already has been drafted.
 The legislation, however, and prob lens dependent on it can await the deliberation of Congress, while Direc- tor McAdoo must get into action with powers already conferred on him by President Wilson. First, he will con- fer with rhe railroad war board of presidents, whose services and advice he said would hp retained under the new administration. Then he will or ganize corps of assistants and ad- yisers, largely of experts of the Inter state Commerce Commission, in whose building he will maintain head quarters for railroad supervision.
 Will Not Disrupt Lines.
 MT. McAdoo said he had given al most no thought to the personnel of bis staff and was not prepared to out line the details of his admiration. He is determined, however, to avoid dis lupting any railroad organization or any agencies already developed which can lend efficiency to the new order.
 The labor question under govern ment operation was discussed with President Wilson during the day by heads of the four railway brother hoods, who renewed their pledge of loyalty to the government administra- tion. They spent about an hour and a half with the president, and 1t is un- derstood they received assurances that most railway employees would not be liable to the next or even the second draft call by being placed in the sec ond draft classification.
 Task Is Big One.
 MT. McAdoo made his first public utterance since his appointment in a. statement saying that at least until he has time to mature his plans and policies railroad operation will be conducted through existing railroad organizations"
 'This new task is of great magni- tude and difficulty" said Mir McAdoo. Tt cannot be done in a moment and it cannot be done at all unless the people of the United States, as well as the officers and employees Of the railroads. give to the railroad direc tor their intelligent and patriotic sup port. earnestly seek the co-opera- tion and assistance of every good citi- zen in this great work.
 "The operation of the railroads as a thoroughly unified system is of funda- mental importance to the success of the war Without 1t we cannot get the effective use of our resources. The supreme test in this war will probably come in the year 1918. Victory will depend upon our speed and efficiency. We can get neither speed nor efiicien- cy unless the railroads are equal to the demands of the situation.
 "I can only say at the moment that the problem will be taken hold of viz orously and that plans and policies will be announced from time to time as rapidly as it is possible to mature them. Meanwhile the business will be conducted through existing railroad organizations with all the support aud power of the government asserted in Evidence.