Evening star., 1950-08-28
Army Takes Control
Of Railroads, With No
Break Seen in Dispute

DICuN SCCll Ill VNpuc
The Government was running
the Nations railroads again to-
day for the fourth time since
1943-but there was no break in
the labor dispute responsible for
the seizure.
Under orders from President
Truman, the carriers passed to
Army control at o'clock yester-
day afternoon, but it was hardly
more than a paper transaction.
The 100000 conductors and
trainmen who had threatened to
go out this morning in row over
wages, called off the strike as
soon as the announcement of
Government seizure was made
Friday afternoon, so there was no
marshalling of troops.
About SO uniformed Army Off
GERS assumed a general sort of
supervision under Karl r. Ben
detsen, assistant Army secretary.
The presidents of seven major
railroads were put in charge of
operations in the several regions
of the country, with the rank of
colonel. Placards telling of Army
control were posted in all large
terminals.
The case at the Southern Rail-
way offices here was typical. Err
nest E. Norris, president Of the
line, took leave of that title and
went on duty as an active reserve
colonel in charge of the south
eastern region. Four officers from
the regular defense establishment
aided him in directing 20 carriers
in the Southeast.
The dispute back of the strike
threat has been going on II
months. The conductors and
trainmen asked a 40-hour week
and 31-cent hourly pay boost for
yard service workers and wage
boosts for workers on moving
trains.
The carriers accepted a White
House proposal for a 23-cent in
crease and 40-hour week for yard
service employees and a scent
increase for train service worker,
plus 3-year no-strike pledge and
a living cost adjustment arrange
ment. But the unions rejected
that plan.
All negotiations are off for the
time being. But talks are expected
to be resumed after a few days.
The White House may seek to
initiate and aid renewed talks.
The Government has made it clear
that it won't try to make a deal
with the unions, but that it is
up to the carriers and unions to
settle their own argument before
the seizure order can be lifted.
The Army indicated over the
week end that it will permit any
railroad to handle its own
finances. retaining all profits as
usual, if the carrier will waive
any claim for losses which might
occur under seizure.
The seizure order placed 1875
major lines under Army control
and provided for standby control
of 106 others.
Aiding Assistant Secretary
Bendetsen in the operation is
Maj. Gen. Frank A. Heileman,
Army chief of transportation,
whose assistant is Brig. Gen.
Andrew F. Mcintyre, a reserve
officer on leave from the Penn
sylvania Railroad.
These are the Army's seven
regional rail operations Offices.
with the location and railroad
observation-disclosures in charge
of each:
Eastern region, New York City
Metzman of the New
York Central.
Allegheny. Baltimore-Roy B.
White of the Baltimore and Ohio.
Southeastern, Washington, D. c.
Mr.. E. Norris.
PocahontaS, Roanoke, Va.
III. Smith of the Norfolk and
Western Railway.
Central Western, Chicago-J.
D. Harrington of the Chicago.
Rock Island and Pacific.
Northwestern, st. Paul-Charles
E. Denny of the Northern Pacific
Railway.
Southwestern, st. Louis-Clark
of the st. Louis-San
Francisco Railway.