El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1918-10-31
REPORT on RAILROADS
WHAT THE PEOPLE THINK OF THEM

DIRECTOR general Of railroads W. G. McAdoo has sub
itted to president Wilson report covering the first
months of government operation of the railroads
rather glowing report filled with statements of econ
omes and improvements achieved under Mr. McAdoos d.
Tecon but not mentioning the fact that notwithstanding
p percent increase IN freight rates and heavy increase
in passenger and Pullman charges in spite of millions
saved by various economies the railroads are NOT money
maker for the government for the American people who
comprise that government However the people are not
caring particularly about the money part of It at this
time If the railroad administration keep up the move
ment OF troops military supplies COAL Steel Of various
Kinds Ielght Tor civilian requirements and provide
fair civilian passenger transportation the country will
be very well satisfied during the period Mr. Nc
Aooo and his assistants the regional directors the off
Gals and employees of the various lines are doing that
The government turned over to Nj. McAdoo a giants
task when It assigned to him the direction of 2eo5 railroad
companies operating 5e7014 miles of railroad and employ
ing 17oo814 persons together with boat and steamship
lines engaged coastwise transportation and navigating
an inland waterways system which included 81
na SSoI miles IN length as well as many thousand miles
Of rivers lakes bays sounds and inets Aided by the best
railroad brains in the country, by who did practically
all the actual work. he has done very well with it. con-
sidering the handicaps Of demands
The consolidation Of the railroads under admnisra
ton and the Inauguration Of Mr. McAdoos plans for
omy have resulted in saving of S45514ss9 year. that
much having been deducted from the salaries of officials
receiving than $4,000 year; the elimination of pas
senger trains resulting in the saving Of 4620OoO train
miles year; the consolidation Of terminals which has
sisted toward expeditions movement of freight;
direct routing Of freight, saving thousands of miles of
travel increase in the coal for six months
S23566633 through the abandonment of competition
consolidation ticket forces; stand
ardzaton Of freight and locomotives and the estab
hshment Of schools for women to be trained ticket
sellers.
Nj. McAdoOs report shows that notwithstanding the
increases passenger fares passenger travel increased
under government operation This is ascbed partly to
the higher wages paid to workmen who constantly
changing their places of employment well to the
travel of soldiers who have been granted special rate Of
cent mile when furlough and to the journeys
Of friends and relatives Of the to the various canton
ments.
The tax upon the passenger service las also been in
creased by the movement Of troops orders from the
navy departments Nj McAdoo's report states that
during the month of July 100000 moved
aggregate of 645555s troops moved between
Nay I, 1917 and July 81, 1918. Of this number nearly
So percent were carried between January and July Of
this year.
The report also contains the news that the railroad
minstIation has under consideration plan for estab
fishing fixed and equitable compensation for loss of life
personal injury together with insurance system and
pensions for superannuated employees.
It would be unjust to pass general judgment gov
eminent operation Of railways based the experience
had unless to that If federal opera
ton during wartime has been fairly satisfactory to the
people in matter of furnishing civilians service,
ought to be vastly better In time Of peace.
There are features of it that have not been pleasing
for instance the percent freight rates. the
raise IN passenger rates to minimum OF three cents
mile the higher deuTrage rates and the supeTchaTge on
Pullman accommodations. All these increases which
that part OF the public in the railroad business
would have fought bitterly had it not been for the
time emergency.
There are those who assert that freight service
been much improved by direct routing and the speeder
loading and unloading and transfer Of cars while others
inclined doubt such improvement There is doubt
but that passenger service is not what It The train
accommodations often are not adequate There are ire
ouent complaints of overcrowded trains and many former
comforts Of travel have disappeared The public under
stands however this cutting down of service IS one
with the whsatess days and the Hghess nights, neces
hat the IN