The Washington times., 1918-02-25
Country Needs Conservation
Not Conversation
Te Hope and Believe That Mr. Hoover Understands This

Men in important positions should inspire courage by
showing that they possess it.
They should inspire confidence by refraning from exc
able semi -hysterical explanations of terror
Mr. Hoover disappointed his friends when he announced
possible famine impending and suggested that the trouble
was not with him. but with railroad incompetency.
Mr. Hoover is supposed to find secure and distribute
the food The business of the railroads TRANSPORT
it after Mr. Hoover says where it is and where he wants
it togo
Mr. Hoover implied criticism of the railroads bad because
it dscouges the railroad personnel suggests general lack
of confidence and makes difficult the gigantic task Of
suddenly organizing basis of central efficient economical
direction the dozens of disconnected dsorganzed railroad
systems.
Every in public Office should bear in mind the fact
that PUBLIC CONFIDENCE is the nations chief asset No
frightened, discouraged man wins any battle.
Calamity Jane is amusing the comic page but out
OF place In important public work.
Mr.. McAdOO has sent to MIR Hoover Food Administra-
tor letter that has the right tone and indicates that the
President chose the right to bring order and efficiency
out of railroad chaos.
Mr.. McAdoo says to Mr.. Hoover:
go You are as I understand it, the sole pur-
chaser in this country of food supplies for the Allied
governments
the food supplies which you from time to time pur-
chase, and the ports in the United States to which
you desire such supplies shipped.
'CS) If you will notify me from time to time
of the location of the specific supplies and the port
ports in the United States to which you wish to
have such supplies transported will guarantee the
necessary transportation subject alone to Interrupt
lions from billiards and floods"
Following this very explicit statement and guarantee
Mr. McAdoos letter puts to Mr.. Hoover this question:
81 am eager to cooperate with you to relieve
all anxiety about food supplies for the allies. Will
you cooperate with me by promptly furnishing me
with the essential information called for in items
and above? If you do, the transportation will be
provided You can readily understand that gener-
alzations will not accomplish the object in view and
that we must be specific in order to get results
Mr. Hoover is very earnest man. and the public while
knowing little about him. believes in his sincerity and his
efficiency.
It is rather disturbing to observe what to be
inclination to shift responsibility by suggesting inability of
railroads to transport foodss that have not been offered
to the railroads for transportation.
Men with the serious work of the their hands
should first of all display courage discuss with each other
their difficulties and only last resort appear weeping
before the public with warnings Of famine.
The public has anxiety enough without being told pre-
maturey that it must expect to starve to death
It is pleasure inform those unnecessarily frightened
that long trains loaded exclusively with oodsus and total
ing many thousand freight cars following each
other from West to East, with right of way utilizing all
available rackage display of concentration and efficiency
unknown to American railroading thus far.
The marvel is that the railroads suddenly taken
by Government should have met with such efficiency the
winter of billiards and snowstorms record plus
the i'll will Of highly paid railroad men, fearful of losing
salaries and graft.