New-York tribune., 1918-02-08
McAdoo's Assistant Pleads
for Support in Solving
Railroad Problem
Cooperation Keynote
Convention at Hotel Astor
Hears Intensive Discussion
of Country's Needs

During the second day of its war
session yesterday at the Hotel Astor
the National Retail Dry Goods Associa-
ton took serious closeup view of the
problems American merchants must
meet and master within the next few
months.
Alfred II. Smith. Regional Director
of Eastern Railroads and president of
the New York Central lines, in the
first public utterance Of an official of
the new railroad administration. set
forth the difficulties under which that
administration has had to labor and
made strong plea for the patience
and cooperation of business men in
ton authorities of the nation are Crap
ping.
A. W. Shaw. representing the com
mercial economy board of the Council
of National Defence. also pleaded for
operation, and urged merchants to
cultivate the government point of
view"
From Boston. E. F. Green, treasurer
of the Pacific Mills, and one of the
foremost experts in the country on
his speciality, came to speak of "The
Cotton Situation" = and incidentally
caused a commotion among the dele
gates when he topped his assertion
that the present outlook is for very
short cotton crop and very high prices
with sharp criticism of the govern
ment's policy Of price-fxing.
Instantly several delegates were on
the chairman's gavel intervened. cut
ting short for moment what promised
TO be particularly spirited discussion.
Delegates Increase
Many more representatives were on
hand than appeared for the first days
proceedings. From the Far West and
from Canada late arrivals kept stream
ing in. until the total attendance for
the day very nearly reached the thou
sand mark.
to consideration of methods for adapt
ing department store education to war
conditions, with Mrs. Lucinda W.
Prince, director of the associations s
education department. presiding. En-
ployment problems, sales promotion
snd conservation of supplies were all
discussed by experts. Then Mr.. Smith
who, owing to an emergency call
from Washington, was obliged to ap
pear ahead of scheduled tlme-took
the floor on behalf of the railroad ad-
minstration.
After tracing the hardships against
which the roads have had to contend
since 1907, Mr.. Smith urged business
men to look the present situation in
the face and to cease criticism.
"The American railroads have given
you and are giving you the cheapest
transportation in all the world on a
given wage" he said.
No Optimistic
Although extolling the efforts and
patriotism of the men now working on
the job, Mr.. Smith refused to hold out
any promises of immediate railroad re-
lief: The shipping of cars to order, he
declared, is causing endless confusion,
and he pleaded with the drygoods men
to cease harrassing the officials in this
fashion. In aswer to a question as to
future embargoes, he said that there
might possibly be short stoppages, but
nothing of a serious nature.
The real solution of the railroad
problem, though, he asserted, is up to
the people.
Victor W. Sincere presented the re-
port of the war advisory committee of
the association, showing that 40. 900, 600
citizens are cooperating in war econ
omies, and emphasizing the patriotism
with which the retailers at all stages
have met the present situation.
To-day the convention will come to
An end with its banner session.