The Idaho recorder. [volume] (Salmon City, Idaho) 1886-1927, 1918-01-11
Wilson'S Assumption OF Control
OF Railroads Is Long Step
Toward Efficiency.
GREAT POWERS FOR M'AOOO
Secretary Baker Prodded by Senate
commIttee-Teutonic Peace sua-
gestlons Made by Count Czernin
In Reply to the Russian Boil
sheVikl Proposals.
BY EDWARD W. PlckARo.

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,
MIR. Wilson said, had become lmpera-
lively necessary because thisais "A war
of resources no less than of men, and
In order that the resources of America
be completely mobll2ed the trauspor-
tatlon systems of the country must be
organized and operated under n single
authority.
This single authority is William G..
McAdoo, secretary of the treasury.
who was appointed director general
because, az the president expressed II.
his practical experience peculiarly
hts him for the service aud his author
ity as secretary OF the treasury en-
ables him to coordinate AZ no other
man could the many financial inter
ests which will be involved" MIR Me
Adoo assumed control at noon Friday.
Not only rail and steamship lines
are Included In the presidents proc
lumatlon, but also all terminals, sleep,
ing and parlor cars, private cars aud
car lines, railroad elevators and ware
houses railroad telegraph aud telc-
phone lines aud intrrurhan electric
lines carrying freight only. Stockhold-
crs Of railroads are guaranteed profit
equal at least 10 the average profits
during the three fiscal years ending
June 20 ial7, which will be about 52l
or cent ON the capital investment
Step Is Generally Commended
General and hearty approval WIS
given President Wilson's action, plik .
by railway officials, tlnunciers aud the
public The first named gave aSsur-
anec Of their earnest cooperation with
Director General McAdoo. aud In near
~ every Instance declared their be
lief that the plan adopted would be
entirely satisfactory They had known
for some time TINT some such thing
must he dome for the committee of
executives that has been ian large meas.
uro directing the operation of railways.
though doing excellent and dislutrr.
cStrd work, had been unable to solve
he problem 81 equitable distribution
n earnings Complete unity OF opera
Won will permit or this md will ~.
'ult iu more efficient conduct than hns
/ been possible heretofore
/ u is probable that under Mr. Nc
1 Ndao's direction. competition ror earn.
nsa being eliminated many competing
/ trains viii be withdrawn and .uSs..u
/ ger traN'e will hn largely rHrfntI,,d
/ Thee VIII be general shifting oft
/ Wiling stock aud much freight equip
! usut will hc sent Jo ru~tnnu terri
/ snry FROM the South nuI West 10 r.,
/ AhyC the congestion 90 transportation
, It war materials Naturally. every
/ hing else VIII Zee Suhurdlnatyd tn fhr
/ var needs ~ the nation II is not uu
} Kelly That passenger rates will d,
-06SCd to three cents & mile
The Que element % the population
rat may not entirely approve ~ guv
eminent control Is the railway broth
erhOods, Their opportunity To en-
force by strike their demands for In
creased pay has vanished. though 4
Is only fair 20 assume that their loyal
~ and patriotism would not have per
ratified them to tie up the country,
transportation. The heads OF IN,
brothsrhoods were called TO the White
House 10 confer with the president OF
their requests for higher wages. Tn
Increases asked average about 20 ne
cent What the government will gran
81 course Is not yet known. In thI