The Washington herald., 1918-02-28
NJ ADOO ISSUES
new POLICIES
|. 10 ASSISTANTS
Director General Of Rail.
roads Instructs Regional
Executives on Duties.

Director General OF Railroads
McAdoo last night made public his
instructions to regional directors
for the operation OF the railroads
under government control. aud al
the same time outlined the govern
ment's general policy toward the
roads.
I'm dealing with this whole OBJ
ject," the instructions read. ''it ID
of course important for you to view
the matter. and to get the ex-
ecutives OF railroads In your jur-
isdiction to view the matter from
an entirely new standpoint that all
the railroads now constitute q
single system to be operated 30 AZ
to secure the maximum of trans
portation with the minimum OF
waste"
Dehnes Labor Status.
That Individual railroads will
lose certain kinds of trafiic enjoyed
under private operation, is conced-
ed by the director general. This
fact. however, must be regarded az
q readjustment made necessary In
the public interest II Il declared.
Pending further development of
government control. the regional
directors are directed TO refer to
Mr.. McAdoo. questions on which
there IL doubt. for decision, such as
any substantial reduction OF pas
senger service.
'T wish to emphasize," the direc-
tor general said, that ] do not con-
directors to undertake to establish
- n
public character, 1. e., policies,
acter of service rendered the pub
lie or the rights OF the public" !.
e.uA ..lwu. SH s s s SIS
In outlining the governments policy
toward labor. Mr.. McAdoo's instrue-
tions are:
you should bear In mind that la
Dor has the very natural feeling
that railroad managers, although
now working for the government and
on government account, necessarily
continue the same conception OF and
attitude towards labor problems that
they had when acting under private
management am told that labor
will have a natural suspicion that
any unfavorable action taken by rail-
road managers indicates q purpose
on their part to make governmental
control q failure and to use It for
promotion or vindication of their own
theories.
For these reasons, great care
should be taken to avoid anything
having even the appearance Of ar
bitrary action, and Il will be- expe-
dient, at least at the outset and
until the matter shall take more
definite shape, not to dispose, unless
by mutual agreement, OF any labor
claims involving large questions of
policy without hrst submitting the
matter to me-"
The aim OF the railroad administra-
ton will be to bring the morale of
officers and men Of the railroads to
the highest standards.
To Make Study.
Regional directors are asked to
make studies Of and report on sew
eral broad questions Of public pol
icy.
To what extent, II at ali. additional
passenger service should be discon-
tinued to save fuel, labor and equip
ment. to expedite freight movement:
elimination Of Implications Of service
discontinuance OF freight solicitation;
unincation OF purchases: standardiza-
ton Of equipment, and curtailment OF
certain operating expenses on account
OF government control, are some of
the questions that will be taken up.
Public convenience will be q large
factor In determination Of changes Of
policy regarding these matters.
The Director General reserves to
himself as representative of the gov
ernment voice in deciding matters
which primarily affect the public.
because we cannot expect the public
will be entirely satisfied" to have
them settled by railroad managers, as
they would still, according to public
belief, retain the attitude Of private
manaRement