The Robesonian., 1918-01-03
President Mclean of v. & G. s.
Talks of Probable Effect of
Government Control
Locally.
FREIGHT MUST BE
MOVED QUICKLY
Not Much Difference on Local Roads
in Handling Freight-Passen-
ger Service May be
Curtailed
FERTILIZERS SHOULD
BE ORDERED EARLY

Everybody is more or less-and
most people more-interested now in
the result of the recent order of Pres
ident Wilson placing the railroads of
the country under government con-
troll How is it going to affect local
traffic, if at all? Mr.. A. w. Mclean,
president and general manager of the
Virginia & Carolina Southern railroad,
which has it's head office in Lumber
ton,, is better prepared than any 9TH
er local man to speak about the effect
of this order and The Robesonian
sought an interview with him yester-
day.
Mr.. Mclean, as head of this road,
has received an order from Secretary
of the Treasury w. G. McAdoo, who
is director-general Of railroads, that
all freight must be moved expeditions
ly. This does not necessarily mean,
Mr.. Mclean says, that freight must
be moved over the shortest lines be-
tween two points but does mean that
which it will be handled quickest. He
does not think this will affect the
volume Of business over the v. &C.
S., for it's line to the North-Rich-
mond and beyond-is so miles short
er than the Seaboard, and it also has
fine freight service from Whining
ton, although that is the longer line
to Lumberton. Freight which leaves
Wilmington at midnight gets to Lum-
berton the next day.
There will be very little, if any,
difference, so far as roads in this Sec
tion are concerned, in the matter of
moving freight, Mr.. Mclean thinks,
for there has been no tgouble on these
roads in that matter. The trouble has
been on lines to the north and east of
Richrl2nd, where lines entering large
eenters have been coagestea, owing
largely to the great volume of export
business due to the war. This has
naturally affected business on South
ern lines because they have been COM
PEELED to deliver their freight in the
North and East to lines which have
been unable to accept it on account
of the great congestion.
Passenger Schedules May be Interfer.
ed With.
There probably will be, soon or late
considerable interference with passen.
ger schedules, Mr.. Mclean thinks
Passenger service probably will be re.
duced to minimum in order to save
coal and other expense of operation
as the government under the new or.
der of President Wilson guarantees
railroads the same net income they re-
celved before the government tool
them over, and the government will
have to see to it that the roads arr
operated economically, as every un
necessary expense might involve ul
innate cost to the government.
inconvenience and Delay Probable.
Patrons will have to make up thei
minds to suffer some Inconvenience,
and delay in travel, Mr.. McLeal
says. AS far as the Virginia & Car
olina. Southern is concerned, it will
try Tor while to maintain it's pres
ent schedule, if the government per
mlts, but if it is found that the ex
pense is too great, there will be som
reduction in the number of trains
The V. q G. S. now has the best pas
ssenger service it has ever had t
Northern points and return, as wei
as In the county, two passenger train
dally besides an accommodate
freight, and the service is maintain
ed at loss.
Order Fertilizers Early.
Mr.. Mclean calls special attentio
to the fact that farmers and merchant
should order their fertilizers and ferti]
lzer materials early, as there probabl
VIII be considerable congestion an
delay in getting freight. These shoul
be ordered shipped out at least 3
days earlier than usual and store
until needed.