Mexico Missouri message., 1918-01-10
BY EDWARD w. PIcKARD.

The great event Of the week, for the
United States and, indirectly for the
allied cause, was President Wilson's
action in assuming control Of the rail-
ways and steamship lines within the
borders of this country. This step,
Mr.. Wilson said, had become impera-
lively necessary because this Is a war
Of resources no less than Of men, and
In order that the resources Of America
be completely mobilized the transpor-
tation systems of the country must be
organized and operated under a single
authority.
This single authority is William @.
McAdoo, secretary of the treasury,
who was appointed director general
because, as the president expressed it.
"hls practical experience peculiarly
fits him for the service and his author
ity as secretary Of the treasury en-
ables him to coordinate RS no other
man could the many financial inter
ests which will be involved" Mr.. Nc
Adoo assumed control at noon Friday.
Not only rail and steamship lines
are included in the presidents proc
lamation, but also all terminals, sleep
ing and parlor cars, private cars and
car lines. railroad elevators and ware
houses, railroad telegraph and tele-
phone lines and interurban electric
lines carrying freight only. Stoekhold-
ers Of railroads are guaranteed profit
equal at least to the average profits
during the three fiscal years ending
June 30, 1917, which will be about 5.21
per cent on the capital investment.
Step Is Generally Commended.
General and hearty approval was
given President Wilson's action, alike
by railway officials, f1nanciers and the
public. The first named gave assur-
ance Of their earnest cooperation with
Director General McAdoo, and In near
ly every instance declared their be
lief that the plan adopted would be
entirely satisfactory. They had known
for some time that some such thing
must be done, for the committee OF
executives that has been In large meas
ure directing the operation Of railways
though doing excellent and dislnter
ested work, had been unable to solve
the problem Of equitable distribution
Of earnings. Complete unity Of opera
ton will permit Of this, and will re
suit In more efficient conduct than hal
been possible heretofore.
1t is probable that, under Mr.. Nc
Adoo's direction, competition for earn
lngs being eliminated, many competing
trains will be withdrawn and passen
ger traffic 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 will be subordinated to tn
war needs Of the nation. It is not un
likely that passenger rates will b
! raised to three cents a mile.
J The one element Of the populatio
that may not entirely approve of goN
ernment control is the railway broth
erhoods. Their opportunity to er
force by strike their demands for iI
creased pay has vanished, though
. is only fair to assume that their loya
ty and patriotism would not have PEI
: mitted them to tie up the country
transportation. The heads Of tn
brotherhoods were called to the Whit
House to confer with the president o
their requests for higher wages. Th
increases asked average about 40 pC
cent. What the government will graz
Of course is not yet known. In tn