Indiana daily times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1914-1922, 1920-02-19

How William Gibbs McAdoo, director
of the RAILROADS. stopped domestic cor-
lnerce to save the allies at most criti-
cal period Of the war and accomplished
the necessary purpose without disturbing
the business of this country to a de-
gree that made it noticeable is fs~
nous story of this man of great ad-
ministrative ability.
1t has been told by Mr.. McAdoo him.
self, and is so well known to those who
watched the crises of the war that men
tion of the subject is all that is neces-
sary TO bring forth unmeaslred praise
of McAdoo.
Here In Indiana, where the great ms
iorlty OF the people realized that great
work was under way but failed to rea-
lie its significance, the story is par
ticdlarly interesting, as explaining in
detail what happened two years ago:
In February, 1918, the situation was ex
tremely black for the allies. The am
bassadors of Great Britain, France and
Italy called a meeting on the Sth day OF
that month to consider an important mes
sage which had been sent by the prime
ministers of those three great powers.
Carl R. Gray, director of the division of
traffic represented Mr.. McAdoo. There
were present representatives of Great
Britain, France and Italy Mr. Hoover,
food administrator: DR.. Garfield. fuel all
ministrator, and Mr.. Hurley, chairman of
the shipping board.
DIRE NECESSITY
TOLD AT MEETING.
The following statement was read at
that meeting:
WASHINGTON, Feb. 191S.-Having
met today at Versailles, the prime
ministers Of France, Great Britain
and Italy have decided to collectively
send the following message to the
president OF the United States and to
request the ambassador to France to
present IL on behalf of the three
countries
The intsrallied wheat committee
reports that:
I. The bread cereals sent from
North America were in December
100000 tons below the amount Fixed
by the Paris conference in November
last In January they have been
more than 100000 tons below the
adopted program.
2. This deficit Of zoo 900 tons has
been caused by the congestion of
railroads and the lack Of cars and
coal, all Of which made worse by the
exceptionally severe winter. These
deficits, sdded 10 the previous ones,
will result in n condition especially
serious throughout the allied states Of
Europe. in the forthcoming months
Of March, April and May. Such a
condition can be improved only by
the sending OF considerable amount
from America In February, March
and April.
3. The wheat committee knows and
appreciates the efforts OF Mr. Hoover
M ~ ~ E.
view OF helping the allies at this
critical Juncture. The COMMITTEES is
aware that Mr.. Hoover realizes the
gravity OF the situation and agrees
with It as 10 the wants Of the allies
On the other hand, Il begs to point
out that the sending OF an average
Of one million necessitates no less
efforts on the part OF the railroads
and the fuel administration than on
that of the food administration. there
fore the committee expresses the
hope that instructions may be issued
for absolute priority to be granted in
the United States to those products
until the crisis be passed
II mas been decided thereupon that
this would be submitted to the presi-
dent OF the United States and that
he should be informed that. 10 the
opinion Of the three prime minister's.
the need OF cereals in Europe can not
be exaggerated. They express the
hope that the president win be so
good as to give the necessary instruc-
ton. Measures have been taken for
supplying the necessary tonnage.
The interested countries have been
able TO take those measures only by
reducing their importations Of am
munition in a degree justified solely
by the critical character Of the food
situation.
In the opinion of the prime minis
tiers, the dearth OF wheat, with the
effect IL may produce on the morale
Of the population. and the important