Trench and camp. [volume] (Augusta, Ga.) 1917-1919, 1918-05-29
May ~.


thought that this would be the most eff
fcient means of handling the difficult sit
uation, but the working out of the plan
has shown that the spirit of cooperation
OF the lines for the most speedy and short
routes of shipment has not been of the
best. Therefore Director General McAdoo
has sent out an order relieving the presi-
dents of their control and creating in their
stead a board of directors. In those cases
where the presidents have been efficient
they viii be the most probable men to NIL
the office of manager or federal director.
There will be a limitation as to the sal
aries paid, the maximum being fifteen
thousand dollars. That is small when
compared with the hundred thousand sal
aries received under private management;
but it is in the eyes Of the government
sufficint amount.
INCREASE I'M PAY for all Of the en-
ployes of that government controlled rail-
road lines has gone into effect. The step
viii be retroactive and Will provide tor
back pay to the extent of one hundred and
fifty million dollars. In the future it viii
mean three million dollar increase year
ly. This action is a direct result OF the
recommendations of the recently appoint
ed wage commission and is indicative of
the governments policy of fairness and
desire to have it's employees receive just
treatment.
ONLY ONE investigation OF the aircraft
charges viii be conducted. That has been
definitely decided by the Congress this
a free hand to carry out his Investigations
as he deems fit. He promises to make his
discoveries absolutely public and to expose
to the public the inemiciency which may
develop as a result of his probing.
x-PREstDENT ROOSEVELT has
made charges against the present admin
iStration, and directly against the POST
office Department of which Mr.. BurlesOn
is the head, to the effect that partiality
has been shown in the suppressing of pub
He and information He claims that
week papers such as that at one time
published by Mr.. Tom Watson OF Geor-
gia, and which was not entirely patriotic,
have been suppressed, but that the anti
American and even prO-German spirit of
some of the Hearst papers has been con-
doned by the administration. Mr.. Roose-
welt is pleading for open and just criti-
cism Of the inefficiency of any of the de-
partments Of our government. To with
hold or to check such righteous criticism
is to defeat teh very purposes of the gov
eminent which is seeking every means of
becoming efficient and publicity of inef-
ficinecy is one of the best means of secur-
ing efficiency
THE THIRD TROOP SHIP to be sunk
has been recorded this week. The ship
Moldavia, on it's trip across the English
Channel, was sunk on moonlight night
by a submarine. The loss of life for US
amounted to fifty-three men. Tt is not
strange that we hear Of instances like
this but it is encouraging to know that
the value of the submarine is fast de-
creasing. Isolated cases of such sinkings
need cause US no great concern.
LLOYD GEORGE feels confident that
the submarine is being foiled in it's aetiy-
tiles I'VE, the Allies. are building ships
and we are sinking the submarines faster
than Germany can build them So it IS
evident that we are draining the barrel
at both ends.
JULY FOURTH is to mark the launch
ing Of a great many ships now under con-
structiOn in our numerous ShipyardS
Word has been sent by Mr.. Schwab to the
laborers asking them to make special eff
forts to have their ships ready by that
date so that We NAV have a special ship
launching celebration. Daily the papers
give account Of new ships finished and
soon we need have no fear for the ship
ping problem of our nation.
RECENTLY Secretary of war Baker
made the suggestion that the ages of men
for enlistment should be raised to fifty
five years for the home and non combat
ant branches. In that way the younger
men would be relieved for more active
service at the front, and the older men,
with more experience and skilled in their
line could assume the vacant positions.
WITH REGARD to the draft state
ment was issued by General CroWder that
all men conscripted would either have to
work or fight. This was taken by some
sections of labor as an indication that
there was to be CONSUMPTION of labor.
Secretary Baker denies that any such ac-
ton viii be considered: rather that the
men who are accepted will be more eff
hciently classified so that they may con-
tinue to work at those trades with which
they are most familiar.
STATE number twelve to come in line
for prohibition is Arizona. Thirty-six
states must give their assent before the
act becomes a part of our organic law.
THE RED CROSS drive has been most
subscribed its amount and the nation as a
whole raised over one hundred and forty
four million dollars. With reports still
coming in it looks as if the amount viii be
over subscribed fifty million dollars;
which gives the best proof possible that
the nation is true to its men at the front.
THE INCREASE in passenger and
freight rates has come at the same Tina
as the increase of the wages of railroad
employees was announced. An increase of
twenty-five per cent. of freight rates and
of the passenger rates to three cents a
mile has been declared nv Mr. NoAd0O