The Washington herald., 1918-01-28
Lobbyists Hard Hit; Sine
cures Ousted and Political
Grating Stopped.
MILLIONS In SAVINGS
EXPECTED TO RESULT
Chairman Sims, of Interstate
Commerce Committee
Applauds Reform.

William G. McAdoo, Director
General of Railroads. last night is
sued peremptory orders to all rail-
road officers and directors to cut
off Immediately from the pay rolls
all legislative railroad lobbyists, su-
pernumerary lawyers. useless rail-
road literary associations, political
payments and all passes. intra-State
as well as interstate.
Director General McAdoo would
not discuss his sweeping order. But
from other sources the broad hint
was obtained that the possibility is
very strong that top-heavy boards
of directors also may be struck by
the governmental cow-catcher.
Several million dollars will be
saved within the FIRST year by this
drastic step, it was estimated last
night.
Text of Order.
The director generals order reads:
General Order No 6. January g,
1915
ITO officers and directors of rail-
road companies.
During the period of possession.
operation and government control of
the railroads, it Is necessary that Of
ficerS. directors and agents of rail-
road companies be very careful in the
handling of moneys and in the deal
ing with transportation matters
Without attempting at this time to
I'VE general directions, there are a
rev matters involving the expendi-
ture of moneys for purposes having
no direct relation to transportation,
which should receive immediate at
tention, as well as the issuance of
free transportation.
1T is ordered. therefore. that the
carriers operating revenues shall not
be expended:
Il. For the payment of agents or
other persons who are employed in
any way to affect legislation.
80 For the employment of attorneys
who are not actually engaged in the
performance of necessary legal work
for the company.
% For the payment of expenses of
persons or agencies constituting as
sociations of carriers unless such as
sociations are approved in advance by
the director general.
Il. For any political purpose or to
directly or indirectly influence the
election of any person or an election
affecting any public measure.
mo passes or free transportation
shall be issued by any carrier under
Federal control or any official of
such carrier unless the assurance
OF such free transportation is ex-
pressly authorized by the act of
Congress entitled an act to regu-
late commerce, approved February
4. 1887, and amendments thereto
and any such passes or free trans
portation heretofore issued not in
conformity with said act must be
recalled.
This order applies to all carriers
under Federal control whether
interstate or intra-state"
Lobbyists Hard Hit
Director General McAdoo has
given broad hints that he intends
to cut down on useless officers and
employees. But there was no inti-
nation that he contemplated such
a sweeping cleanup to start with.
This order means that not only the
S25.O0O a year lobbyist, but the
numerous persons employed to boost
the individual roads, will be re-
duced in number. Only those in
the latter class that can be of ser
vice to the roads will be allowed
to reman.
The pay-rolls of many railroads, in
the matter of legislation, 1t was ex-
planned, has been enormous. Lawyers
have been retained in various capitals
where important legislation is pend
ing; and in the United States Capitol
TO exert their influence for legisla-
ton favorable to the railroads. Nu-
merous railroad associations have
sprung up within the last few years,
chiefly for the purpose of presenting
the better side Of the railroad situa-
ion to the country through large ad-
vertisements and widespread litera-
lure. A few of them are valuable to
the Director General and will be put
under his office staff The others
will be cut off from the payroll
forthwith.
AAOeSondS VI lawyers InrOuSnOuI
he country will be affected. Large
Staffs have been maintained in places
where the director general believes
hey have been unnecessary. The
order chops on all political sub
scriptions or efforts to support any
man or party in any election.
Perhaps the greatest evil has been
he matter Of passes. No one will be |
allowed to ride free hereafter. The
Interstate prohibition supposedly pre-
rented persons from travelling con-
:tnuously through several States on
single pass. Some States have for
hidden the issuance OF passes on |
roads IN their boundaries. But the
interstate prohibition has been cir i
:umvented by a man obtaining a |
Series OF interstate passes and being
:hus able to make his full journey |
without pay. In some of the States |
Is said the avoidance of payment |
ias become pubic scandal Legis-
ators by the hundreds are able to /
raveI on any Of the roads of the |