, 1922-02-01
RAIL LINES IN
D|SREPAIR WHEN
TAKEN OVER BY
j. g., IS CLAIM
McAdoo Quotes Railroad
Presidents in Attempt
to Show That Charges
Have No Foundation

WASHINGTON. Feb. l.
Charges of inefficiency in fed
eral wartime control of rail-
roads 'have been made and
published with a recklessness
for which ignorance, design,
or selfish purpose alone can account"
william C. McAdoo. former director
general OF the railroad administration
declared today at the senate Interstate
commerce committe investigation OF
tho present railroad situation.
Beginning what was expected TO be
n two-day statement on the situation.
Mr.. McAdoo told tbs committee the
government tool over the railroads
fl 1917 because they were breaking
down under a private management,
unable to meet the stress OF var de-
mands, and that federal contro; and
unified operation saved the situation.
Not only was the transportation
machine kept running, he insisted.
but its condition was improved. its
equipment extended. and II was TO
turned 10 private owners. In such
shape that Il was able to handle
greater volume OF ;rafhc in 1920 than
ever before.
Mr.. McAdoo took sharp issue with
railroad presidents who have, before
congressional committees and the in
terstate commission. made
declarations 10 the contrary. He
presented copies Of letters sent by him
in 1918 TO Presidents Rea OF the Penn
syiyania and willard of the BALTIC
more s. Ohio among others. notifying
them he considered heir management
unsatisfactory and inefficient.
The measures taken during the
year 1918 called for no apologies
said a report signed by A II. Smith.
president OF the New York Central.
and six other railroad men. who were
regional directors under the railroad
administration. which Mr.. McAdoo
presented as conclusive answer TO
the charges he mentioned. They
were caused by war conditions. and
the efficient operations Of the rail
roads in support OF the government
during the wal justines every act OF
the administration"
DisreRarding the un~fairness OF COM
pairing railroad operations during the
war when general needs OF the coun-
try a to be put secondary to the
''imperious necessity of war; Mr..
McAdoo said tho report he cited and
also the records showed that by any
test "rsilroat. operations in the year
1918 were conducted with great eff
nciency. skill and ability" Contrast
ed with the. in 1917 their condition.
approaching paralysis. he a made
the railroad system OF tho United
States the strongest ally of the Ger
man kaiser" Mr.. McAdoo quoted
from the statements OF railroad presi-
cents before congressional commit
tees and the interstate in
that year. to sustain his remarks.
mentioning notably testimony OF
President Rea. who said their con
dition had become a n to the
country"
There was a deficit In railroad rev.
enues during 1918. under income and
rentals TO theic, owners of $216. 000.-
900. Mr.. McAdoo said, but that rep
resented "a part OF the war cost, an
expenditure for which there is no
compensation but victory" He cited
messages sent TO former President
Wilson by the prerniers of England.
Franco and Italy. in February, 1918.
begging for 100000 tons OF bread
stuffs. TO supply which whole trains
of empty cars had TO be rushed from
the Atlantic coas to the middle west.
for weeks. and rushed back with
equal expedition to the ports, loaded.
mo further evidence than that
from the lips OF railroad executives is
necessary TO demonstrate that the
railroads at the end of 1917 were In
a condition of disrepair. postponed
improvements, neglected equipment.
and deferred maintenance" he said.
THE story has been graphically told
by them.
THE railroad administration adopt.
ed h only two possible methods for
improving the general conditions.
First. Immediately using more ell
ciently available forces and facilities.
and later increasing them"