New-York tribune., 1918-02-22
.cAdoo Tells
Employees They
Must Do Part
Serving Government Only,
and Expected to Help
Win the War

WASHINGTON, Feb. 21.-In a gen
oral order tonight, designed to clarity
the relations between the Railroad Ad-
mlnstration and employees Of the roads,
Director General McAdoo emphasized
that officials and workmen no longer
were serving q private interest, but
the government and the publc only,
and that all must work together for the
common object of defeating Germany.
That the greatest efficiency may be
at all times maintained the Director
General ordered that all laws pertain
ing to the promotion of the safety Of
employees and passengers must be fully
complied with; that. where necessary,
men must work a reasonable amount
OIL overtime; that the retention of men
IN their jobs VIII bc determined bv
their fitness and character of service
rendered, and that no determinations
shall be made against any employe be-
cause of membership or non member
ship in labor organizations
individuals Responsible
Pointing out that, in the enforce
ment OF laws and orders for The promo
futile to impose fines for violations
upon the government, the Director
General said that it would become his
duty to impose punishments for wilful
and lnuXcusablc violations upon the
person or persons responsible, the pun
lshmcnt to be determined by the facts.
Special emphasis is laid in the order
TO an erroneous impression drawn from
an order of last December 20, which
provides that all officers. agents and
employees of the railroads might con-
| tinuc IN the positions they then held.
Many employees apparently had inter
preted the order as designed to prevent
any change in the terms of employ
ment during governmental operations.
Interpretation Wrong
This Interpretation, the director gem
eral sad, vas entirely erroneous, the
purpose having merely been TO confirm
all terms Of employment existing on
that date, but subject to SUBSEQUENT
notifications demed advisable for the
requirements OF the service. Officers
and employees were directed to be gov
erned by this construction.
Inc broad question of wages and
hours will be passed upon by the Presi-
/ dents Railroad Wage Commission az
promptly as possible, the order said,
and, pending Il disposition of these
matters, all requests involving re-
VISIONS of schedules or general changes
IN conditlons affecting wages and hours
VIII be held in allegiance by both the
managers and employees.
Wages, when determined upon. will
oG maze retroactive to January /, 1913.
MaVyerS OF controversy arising under
/ interpretations OF existing wage agree
ments and other matters not relating
TO wages and hours will take their
uSu@l course, ahG, III lne event of in
ablllty to reach Il settlement will he
reterred to the Director General.
me government now being in CON
trol OF the railroads." says the order.
the ofhcers and employees of the va
ilouS companies no longer serve y
private interest. All now serve the
1 government and the public interests
only. want the officers and cmployes
TO get the spirit of this new ear.
Devotion the keynote
"Supreme devotion to country. an
lnvlnciblc determination to perform
the lmperative duties OF the hour while
INC lltc OF the nation is imperilled bv
/ war, must obliterate Old enmities and
make trends and comrades of us all.
lhere must be cooperation, not an
tagohlsm; confidence, not suspicion:
mutual hclpfulness, not grudging per,
tormance; just consideration, not arbi
trary disregard of each others rights
and feelings; a fine discipline based ON
mutual respect and sympathy, and am
earnest desire to serve the great re.
pubic Faithfully and efficiently. This
is the new spirit and purpose that must
pelVade every part and branch of tho
national railroad service.
Don't Ditch the Train"
"America's $ safety, Americas ideals
America S rights, are at stake. Democ,,
racy and liberty throughout the world
depend upon Americas valor, Amer' -
lca's strength, Americas fighting now-
er. e " can win and save the world
from Iron deSpotlsm and bondage only if We
pun together. We cannot pull apart
without ditchng the train. Let Us 90
onward with unshakable purpose to do
our part superlatively. Then we sball
save America, restore peace to dis
tracted world and gain for ourselves
aFe coveted distinction and just ccward
Oh patriotic service noblv done"