The Washington herald., 1918-02-22
PULL TOGETHER
TO ASSISTANTS
Director Issues Appeal to
Insure Safety Of
America"

Director General McAdoo last night
issued orders to all the employees on
the railroads OF the country to pull
together to insure Americas safety,
ideals and rights in the war. The gov
ernment's interest. he said, must be
held uppermost; every man must be
willing to give the best in him, even
to the point OF working overtime when
called upon, the matter of wages be-
ing left for future determination.
1.-The government now being in con-
troll of the railroads." his instructions
read 1.-The officers and employees or
the various companies no longer serve
a private interest. All now serve the
government and the public interest
only. 1 want the officers and employees
to get the spirit OF this new era. Su-
preme devotion to the country, an in
vincible determination to perform the
imperative duties of the hour while
the life of the nation is imperiled by
the war, must obliterate old enmities
and make friends and comrades of us
all.
CO-operatloB Urged.
There must be cooperation, not an
tagonism: confidence, not suspicion;
mutual helpfulness, not grudging per-
formance; just consideration. not ar
/ bitrary disregard of each others rights
and feelings; a fine discipline based on
mutual respect and sympathy; and an
earnest desire to serve the great pub
lie faithfully and efficiently. This il
the new spirit and purpose that must
pervade every part and branch of the
national railroad service.
'America's safety, Americas ideals.
Americas rights are at stake. De-
mocracy. and liberty throughout the
world depend upon Americas valor,
| Americas strength, Americas fight
ing power. We can win and save the
, world from despotism and bondage
only if we pull together. We cannot
pull apart without ditching the train.
Let us go forward with unshakable
purpose to do our part superlatively.
Then we shall save America, restore
peace to a distracted world and gain
for ourselves the coveted distinction
and just reward OF patriotic service
nobly DONE
The director general orders that all
acts of Congress to promote safety of
employers and travellers, requiring
investigation of accidents and the reg
ulations of the Interstate Commerce
Commission, must be complied with.
These acts refer to hours of service,
safety appliances and inspection.
Overtime Expected.
Punishment for the violation of
these laws will fall. hot upon the
government itself. but upon the per-
sons responsible. such punishment to
be determined by the facts.
When the exigencies of the service
require it, or when a sufficient num-
ber of employees in any department
are not available to render prompt
service, employees will be required to
work a reasonable amount of over
time. So far as efficient and economic
operation will permit, excessive hours
of employment will not be required OF
emrlcyes." The broad question of
wages and hours will be passed upon
and reported to the director general
by the Railroad Wage Commission,
of which Franklin K. Lane is head.
Pending disposition, all such questions
will be held in allegiance by both
managers and employees. Wages will
be made retroactive to January l and
wherever other matters cannot be
brought to q conclusion, the director
general will determine the settlement