Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1922-02-01
McADOO RAPS UNFAIR
CRITICISM OF U. s.
CONTROL OF ROADS
Continued from page /

The measures taken during the
yead 1918 called for no apologies" said
A report signed by A. II. Smith, presi-
dent OF the New York Central, and
six other railroad men, who were TO-
gional directors under the railroad adj
which Mr.. McAdoo pre-
sented as conclusive answer" to the
charges he mentioned. They were
caused by war conditions, and the
operations of the railroads
In support of the government during
the war justifes every act Of tho adj
Roads SkillfuIly Operated.
Disregerding tho unfairness OF COM
pairing railroad operations during war
when general needs OF the country
had TO be put secondary to the i'm
perious necessity OF war" Mr.. McAdoo
said the report he cited, and also the
records. showed that by any test
were conducted with great efficiency,
skill. and ability Contrasted with
that in 1917 their condition, approach
Ing paralysis. he. said made the rail-
road system OF the United States the
strongest ally OF tho German Kaiser"
Mr.. McAdoo quoted the statements
Of railroad presidents before congress
sional Committees and the Interstate
Commerce Commission in that year,
to sustain his remark, mentioning
notably testimony OF President Rea,
who said their condition had become
a menace TO the country"
There was q deficit IN railroad
revenues during 1918. under income
and rentals to their owners OF s218,-
100000, Mr.. McAdoo said. but that
represented "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 premiers of England,
France, and Italy, in February. 1913,
begging for 100000 tons of bread
stuffs. to supply which whole trains
of empty cars had to be rushed from
the Atlantic coast TO the Middle West.
Tor weeks, and rushed back with equal
expedition TO the ports. loaded.
Must Answer to Conscience.
Railroad men ran the railroad. Of
the United States when was Director
General" he claimed. "and IL they
were inefficient or disloyaI to their
government, they must answer TO
their consciences. But I have said
that believe them to be both loyal
and efficient, and that the remarka bic
results they achieved In 1918 conclu-
sively proved they were
Startling differences between the
present attempt TO show the railroads
were in splendid condition when the
government acquired control and the
efforts OF rPilroad executives to OBJ
tain increased rates are disclosed by
the Interstate Commerce Commission
records he continued. taking up the
claims for damages and under=main-
tenance presented by the railroads.
In view Of the pathetic picture drawn
by these executives from 1910 to 1917
before the commission, the leaot
cynical might be justified in question
Ing the good faith OF these who bolster
up a fictitious case against the fed
eral control by asserting, their roads
were maintained in private hands &c
the highest point efficiency"
He quoted President Underwood OF
the Erie lines as saying the roads
were going to smash" In 1917, be.
cause of under maintenance, and poo,
earnings. The statements, he said
constituted 'indisputable evidence O.
the depleted and patched up condi
ton OF the railroads"
There was a change in the stand
ara OF maintenance during fedora
control but instead of being down
ward as charged, it was upward" MI
McAdoo added.
mo further evidence than that from
the lips of railroad executives i
necessary to demonstrate that tn
railroads at the end of 1917 were In
condition of disrepair, postponed i'm
proVements. neglected equipmen
ana deferred maintenance. The stor
mas been graphically told by them.
The railroad administration adopt
ed the only two possible methods fo
improving the general condition.
FIRST, immediately using more eff
ciently available forces and facilitie.
and later increasing them.
AS step in the direction, the rail-
road administration called on the rep
resentauves Of organized railroa
employees TO agree to certain modifica
ions IN their contracts relative I
hours OF labor and working rules. rh
railroad employees periodically CAV