The Washington herald., 1918-09-02
NJ ADOO ASKS
HOLIDAY FOR
RAILROADERS
Director General Sen ds
Message to Regional Di-
rectors for Employees.

Director General McAdoo today sent
the following IahoF~Day message to
all regional directors:
In view of the colossal war In
which America, is a party conlpatant
and of the gravity of the issdes IN
volved. concering as they do the lives
and liberties of the people of the
world. the celebration of Labor Day,
lS1s, possesses special significance.
Many Get Holiday. 49,
81 shall be glad. therefore, IL you
will permit as many railroad en-
ployes to participate in the forthcom-
ing Labor Day celebrations through
out the country as will not hamper es-
sential railroad operations. The pres
sure upon transportation is SO great
that it is. of course. important not
to reduce train service for even a day.
but doubtless it will be possible. by
making preparations in advance, 10
give a larger number of employees
liberty that day than could other
wise be done.
Not only is the welfare OF labor
concerned in this war, but the well
fare of every class OF people in
America and throughout the world.
The millions of Americas splendid
sons We are sending to Europe to
settle these issues in our favor can
not do then part of this great job
unless we, each and every one of
us who stay at home. do our part
equally well and on time. Any fail
ure to produce at home the things
our men must have if they are to
fight successfully would mean dis
aster. Such a disaster would be
less appalling in the injury to, or
destruction of, our material in
terests than in the subjugation, il
not the destruction, of the noble
ideals for which America stands and
sheds her blood. These ideals are
the very foundation of Christ's doc
trines and of modern Christian civ
ilization. 1t is inconceivable that
such a calamity as a German vic
tory can befall the world since
America entered the conflict un-
less we at home fail to do our duty
and our, full share. 1 have no
doubt about Americas performance
of her duty, and that means that
have no doubt of the patriotism
and willingness of every class Of
our people, including labor, to
strive and sacrifce and fight on
until the glorious victory is won.
Duty Vastly Important.
THE railroadmen of the United
States have n duty of transcendent
importance-the duty of keeping alive
and efficient the transportation system
OF the country. Without adequate
and uninterrupted railroad service,
delivered on time all the time, the
essential war industries of the nation
will be helpless and the sacrifices of
blood and treasure will be of no avail
The railroads of the United States are
the most vital organ of our entire in
dustrial and economic life. They must
function at the highest point Of eff
ficiency. and know that 1 can count
on the loyalty and patriotic cooper
alton Of the railroad employees OF the
United States in rendering to, our be-
loved country the best service OF
which they are capable.
Let US on Labor Day, 1913, rededi-
cate ourselves to the noble cause for
which we fight. Let us resolve never
to stop until military oppression and
all that it represents is wiped from
the face Of the earth. Let us stand
shoulder to shoulder with our splen-
did sons, whose unbroken ranks in
France have stopped the Kaiser and
given him a new conception of our
fighting power. Americas triumph
in this war will then be inevitable.
Americas victory will give a new
meaning to liberty and democracy
throughout the world.