The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1919-03-17
ELLIOTT'S WORK
FOR RAILROADS


BY HOLLAND
| New York, March 16.-(Special)
| When the railroad executives, SO
| called, made choice of Howard Elliot as
chairman of special committee which
is to consult and advise with Director
General Hines upon all matters of i'm :
portance which will affect the railroads
of the United States, it was made clear
that these executive are on the whole
looking into the future with confidence,
believing that reasonable and ade-
quate method will be adopted whereby
the railroads will be relieved of en-
barrassment.
Mr.. Elliott had come from Chicago
only few hours before the meeting of
the railroad executives at Washing ton.
He was selected by the Commercial club
of Chicago as perhaps the best author
ity whereby information could be i'm
parted to this influential body respect
ing the railroad situation. There were
gathered at Washington almost all of
the individual forces which as a group
represent the direction and control
under the director general, of the rail-
roads of the United States. Many of
these executives are identified with the
expansion and improvement of the rail
road systems of the United States. espe-
cially in the west and far west. Almost
al of them are known as men who pos
sess the gift of individual initiative
whereby they were able to bring the
American railroads up to a condition
and position unsurpassed by the rail
road systems of any other country.
Mr. Elliott is recognized as a man of
careful conservation in which the spirit
of optimism is infused. In the darkest
days of the railroad situation he was
one of those who did not despair In
some respects his outlook resembles
that taken by Judge Gary. Both are
men who look upon the bright side.
Both are capable of peering through
fogs and penetrating in that way to the
better outlook which is beyond the fog.
Neither is of the disposition which was
characterized by the late ]. P. Morgan's
remark that 1.-THE man who is bear on
the United States will go broke" for
they have never been bears either with
respect to the United States or the rail-
road industry. Mr.. Elliott's address to
the Chicago Commercial club has been
widely published and has occasioned
much comment. Some features of 1t
were criticized in a friendly way by Di-
rector General Hines. On the whole.
it is spoken Of as the best statement,
not only of present railroad conditions,
but also of what future conditions
should be, that has been made by any
one. whether railroad executive or gov
eminent officer.
THEY CHOSE AN OPTIMIST
Some of the railroad executives, mo-
tably two or three who are representa-
tives of railroads in the far west have
M hoo, in h ~ q NJ mi
since Congress adjourned without au-
thorizing an appropriation of some
$700,000,000 with which to meet the
needs of the railroads. Apparently this
state, of mind was changed after the
executives knew what Mr.. Elliotts
views and that of some of the othe-
executives are. Now, the feel-
financial ingenuity. the moral and, as
far as possible. the actual financial
support of the government, and the
adoption of wise methods by various
railroad companies whereby security
can be offered FOR advances will serve
to tide over the situation until Con-
gress meets.
If the American bankers were able
and willing to underwrite the joint loan
placed in this country by Great BritasA-
and France, the aggregate of which
was 100000 900, they should be able.
it is believed. to aid in financing the
out of the somewhat desperate
situa ton in which, it was at first
thought. they would be placed by reason
of the failure of Congress to adopt the
necessary legislation whereby the gov
could furnish the railroad with |
$700. 100000.
BUSINESS AWAITS RAILROADS
Mr.. Elliott and others who, like him, |