Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-01-23

which we placed greater dependence for
A board Of Engineers, chosen by the
War Department, and headed by Maj.
william Barclay Parsons, afterward
colonel, 18th Engineers, went to France
in May to study railroad conditions and
later submitted an exhaustive report OF
their investigations and conclusions,
which fully agreed with the opinion Of
Col. Taylor, my chief Of Engineers, and
his assistants. These independent In
vestigations showed that the French
railways, especially those that we
planned to use, were sadly in need OF
physical rehabilitation.
1t was apparent that we could not
depend entirely on the French without
great risk OF failure at q critical mo-
pected the maximum efficiency in this
service we must provide our own per-
sonnet, as we'll as additional locomotives
and cars, all to be, as far as practicable,
under American management.
A separate transportation corps had
never been provided in our Army--in
fact, there had been no one at all
whose duty specifically embraced the
management of railroads. In the GUAR
termaster Department a bureau issued
transportation requests, routed person.
and it was the understanding that in
time of war the Army Engineers would
step in and take charge when railway
operation should become necessary.
With this plan in view. commendable
progress had been made toward both
procurement and organization by Col.
Taylor, and complete estimates for roll
ing stock and construction at ports,
terminals and yards. including an ac-
curate survey of building and equipment
requirements, had been made under his
merly vice president of the New York
Central, aftefward a colonel, who had
been q member of the Parsons Board.
These estimates without change served
as permanent guide for railway con-
struction plans and material.
Atterbury Gets Post.
As coordinate with the procurement
and maintenance of material and equip
ment we were confronted with the vital
question of organization for opermAkon
and management, but we had no odlears
in the Regular service of sufficient ex-
perience In railway management to in
sure success. Therefore, the evident
course to pursue, to which the precedent
OF both British and French pointed the
way, was to create transportation
corps Immediately under the direction
of some man of outstanding reputation
in the railroad world. In accordance
with the principle Of obtaining the most
competent men for important positions,
the following cable was sent July 20:
Have made thorough study of rail-
road situation and am convinced that
operation of railroads must be under
man with large experience in managing
commercial railroads at home. Success
full handling our railroad lines so i'm
portant that ablest men in country
should be selected. After almost disas-
trous results with inexperienced military
men running railroads British selected
ablest man could find, to have charge
transportation.
Question here mainly one of physi-
| cal operation and management in initi-
mate relation with French, who retain
general control which is necessary to
handle ordinary commercial trafic.
Question Of railroad transportation, of
course, involves equipment maintenance
and new construction at front as Arny