French Broad hustler. [volume] (Hendersonville, N.C.) 1916-1919, 1918-01-03

gress and the inability of the rail
roads to handle the increased business
thrust upon them by war plans
prompted the president to take the
step in the interest OF eXpediency.
The main advantage to be realized
under the new order of railroad Oper-
alton will be in the pooling of traffic
and earnings. The plan permits the
unifcation of systems which will
make possible needed improvement l
freight traffic and passenger services
1t will eliminate long hauls in hun
dreds of instances, impossible under
private control without loss of bust
ness, and serve the convenience of the
public rather than seek to swell the
bank accounts of the corporations. But
the properties will be protected with a
guarantee to earnings equivalent to
the average net operating income of
each railroad during the three-year
period ending June 80, 1917, and the
roads have offered no objections to
the governments plans. The presi-
dent made it plain in his proclamation
that he believed the railroads had per-
formed their duties in so far as they
could, but that legal restrictions
prevented a concentration of efforts
by private individuals which would be
removed under government supervi-
sion.
In naming Secretary William e.
McAdoo, of the treasury department,
as director general of the railroads
the president picked about the best
man available for this tremendous
task. The secretary retains his posi-
ton in the cabinet and will serve as
director of railroads without addition
al compensation. He has a record for
and financial world and enjoys the
confidence Of both the administration
and the railroads. Directing the OPP
Grafton of all the railroads of this
country is a gigantic undertaking.
Every line engaged in general trans
portatiOn with its appurtenances, in
Guiding steamship lines, is now under
the direct supervision of Secretary
McAdoo, the master mind of the ad-
ministration next to President Will
son, who is given unlimited powers in
directing their operation. The coun-
try expects him to make good. And
he will.
The director general has already
called to his assistance the most cap
able and experienced men in railroad
circles, which means that government
operation is going to be a success
from the very beginning of the new
order Of things. Competitive condi-
tons are to be wiped out and a COM
pIete pooling of traffic, equipment, ter
minals and trackage facilities will be
consummated. Traffic will be routed
over the shortest lines, regardless of
the company with which a shipment
may originate, and all terminals will
be used to effect maximum efficiency.
All officers and employees, of the vari-
ous railroads have been retained by
order of Mr.. McAdoo and everyone OF
hem is now doing his bit" to win the
var. The railroad brotherhoods are
cooperating and there appears to be no
hitch in the plans anywhere. Already
has the speedy movement Of freight
begun and it is expected that traffic
congestion which has proven a vexing
1indrance to administration plans and
business generally, will be visibly re-
.ieved at no distant day. Similar plans
succeeded admirably in England after
outbreak of the war and, as a war meas
Ire they may work we'll in the United
Let us hope so. i