Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1918-01-04
ASK GOVERNMENT To RUN
ALL EXPRESS COMPANIES
Advisory Board Declares Their Co.
Operation With Railroads
Would Bring Relief.
WILSON TO ADDRESS CONGRESS
President Is Expected to Make Rec
concentrations Concerning Han
ding of All Transportation Under
Federal Supervision

WASHINGTON, January 2.-On the
eve OF President Wilson'S appearance
before Congress tomorrow with recon-
mendations regarding railroad leEis-
ia;ion. Director-Gencral McAdoos ad-
vsory board to-day urged the taking
over by the government OF the express
companies OF the country, along with
the railroads. The board is composed
OF two railroad men. Hale Holden, Of
the Burlington, and Henry Walters. oil
the Atlantic Coast Line, and Judge Ed
ward Chambers. chief OF transports.
tion OF the food administration. and
John Skeiton williams, Comptroller OF
the Currency.
President Wilson'S proclamation is
sued December 70. takes. possession
and assumes control" of each and
every system OF transportation and the
appurtenanccs thereof" This embraces
the express companies. Their thorough
cooperation with the director general
OF railroads. IL was urged. would pre-
sent an enormous source OF relief in
the general transportation of freight
President Wilson's address before
Congress tomorrow may make some
recommendations concerning I h es e
! lines. No idea of the legislation 20 be
suggested has been given from the
| White House. but il Is said in author!-
( tatirc circles that among the pro-
posals will be:
I. Guarantee that the railroad prop
critics shall he maintained in as good
!. condition Of repair as when the gov
ernmcnt took them over.
.. Guarantee of net operating in
como equal in each case 10 the average
net earning income Of three years pre-
ccdns June 80, 1917.
! g. Appointment of financial board
| Of arbitration which automatically viii
adjust unusual situations" such as
| the proper apportioning of earnings OF
company that has expanded greatly
in the latter part Il the three-ycar
| term.
| {. Appropriation OF large sum Tor
| a working capital. possibly 10 take care
oc an increase in wages 10 the en-
ployccs of the railroads.
BILL ALREADY PREPARED
T! AND READY FOR CONGRESS
| The bill has already been prepared.
! and will be intrcduced directly after
! President Wilson makes his address.
/ The bin. however. cannot he taken up
| for discussion until Monday, on ac-
count OF procedure.
| Director-General McAdoo Today had
Ia long conference with The railroad
| brotherhood officials to bring them
| into closer harmony with the govern
mcnt. There we're present: ". 5. Car
ter, grand chief, and =. J. Mcnamara,
vice president of the Locomotive Fire
men and Enginemen: \. b. Garrctson,
grand chief, and William Clarke. vice
president OF the Order of Railway Con-
ductors: w. II. Lee, grand chief. and
/ W. y. Doall, vice president of the
/ Brotherhood OF Railway Trainmen. and
| III. l.. Wills, assistant grand chief and
! national legislative representative OF
! the Brotherhood or Locomotive En-
| ginecrs. Each of tho railroad men
told Mr.. McAdoo of the scarcity of
| men and tho problems they faced. They
3, said they could assure tho government
| that the mon would be willing TO work
overtime at the usual overtime pay.
They pledged their all in every way.
| The general matter OF wages was not
taken up. This will he gone irto to-
morrow. 1t is reported on good au i
thority that. there is TO be an increase
in wages to the men OF from Is to 20
per cent. They demanded 40 per cent
hcforc the transportation crisis became
so acutc. but they will not insist on
such an advance at present. They will
insist on some advance because of the
high cost OF living. Mr.. Clarke said
nc believed IT. most likely that the
government would grant the higher
advance to tho men who receive the
lower wage.