The New York herald., 1922-07-17
ICOUNTRYISMAPPED
Automobile and Water
Transport to Care for
the Vital Needs of
All Sections.
FOOD is TO BE MOVED
Nation Now Is Almost Self
Sustaining Without
Rail Aid.
SURVEY IS SURPRISING
Hoover Finds Public Would
Not Be Greatly Hampered
for Months.
SURVEY IS SURPRISING
Special Dispatch to THE NEW YORK HERALD.
New York Herald Bureau,
Washington, ID. c., July 16.

Special Dispatch to THE NEW York HERALD.
| New York Herald Bureau.
Washington, ID. c.. July 16.
In case of tieup or a partial tieup
of the railroad systems Of the country
the Harding Administration will resort
to plans already formulated by the De-
partment of Commerce. which contem-
plates the largest industrial mobiliza-
ton of motor and water transport
ever attempted by any nation in time
OF peace.
While the Administration is hopeful
that the railroad strike will not as
sumo alarming proportions and Is de-
termined to keep as many trains as
possible going, the Hoover mobiliza-
ton program is regarded as vital
asset in the armory of the Govern
ment.
No reports indicating violence in
connection with the railroad strike
were made public here tonight, but
the possibility that the maintenance
of way men might join the shopmen
10 tAFhfH tAlt fQAlliiiloti dtiOI cdQiliOiidl
: cor Germ.
E. f. Cradle. head of the main
tenance OF way men. who conferred
with the President yesterday, report
ed that his people are restless and
that it might not be possible to pre-
vent strike decision. He told the
President that 1t might be well for
the Executive to issue an appeal to
the striking employees to return to
work in the interest of the public and
in view of developments which he had
before President Harding.
Reports from Denison, Tex. where
disorders are reported to have taken
place. are that conditions are quiet.
Army Report Is Made.
Brig. Gen r. c. Davis. Assistant
Adjutant- General called at the White
House. The purpose Of his visit was
not disclosed, but IL is understood he
submitted report made by Col. c. r.
Lincoln. assistant chief of staff OF the
Eighth Army Corps. who was direct
ed to investigate the Texas situation.
No orders were issued for the move
ment of troops. and for the present
ii is believed roads had to a large ex-
tent stopped recruiting to replace the
strikers
The details of the mobilization plan
were worked out by Mr. Hoover and
were ready to ne set going on October
81 of last year when the threatened
railroad strike was called off. 1t was
realized at the time, however that the
postponement of railroad trouble was
only temporary and the mobilization
plan was worked out 10 be immedi-
ately applicable in a future contin-
gency.
Under the proposed scheme it was
estimated that IL the railroads were
operated 20 per cent the public could
be supplied with essentials indefinitely
by . series OF priorities and even in
the eventuality of complete stoppags
Of railroad transport every city and
town in the United States could be
supplied with all the essentials of life
for period Of sixty 10 ninety days
by the effective utilization OF motor
and water transportation.
In anticipation OF railroad trouble
Secretary Hoover proceeded to map out
the country methodicaily. to take stock
Of the resources on hand. the means OF
transport available to each locality. the
extent 10 which certain communities
were self sustaining. and the shortest
radius of transport for each area. par
ticularly the thickly settled communi-
ties OF the Atlantic seaboard
Tested I'm Great Britain.
The data was carefully analyzed and
laid away. 1t was in effect a program
of industrial mobilization and IL is in
dicated that IT Will be invoked and put
into effect in case OF serious interfer-
ence with railroad traffic.
At the time the Secretary OF Com
merce entered into working agree
ment with the automobile associations,
local and national, each undertaking
the task OF speedy mobilization within
its own territory. Something simlls-
was attempted In Great Britain during
the railroad strike. with results which
went far to prevent suffering In London
and the other large centers OF popula.
tion. In addition TO motor and water
the resources Of the War
Department and the Navy Department
would be utilized.
The investigation of conditions as
they would be In case OF n railroad tieup
disclosed that the carrying capacity Of
motor vehicles and boats was far In ex-
ress Of anything that had been expected.