Railroads' War Board
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The Railroads' War Board was a committee of U.S. railroad executives that operated voluntarily during 1917 to coordinate rail service as the United States entered World War I.[1]
Following the declaration of war by the United States on April 6, 1917,[2] a large meeting of railroad executives was convened in Washington, D.C. to discuss supporting the war effort. The American Railway Association authorized creation of the war board.[3]: 109 The board comprised five members, chaired by Fairfax Harrison, president of the Southern Railway. The additional members were:
- Howard Elliott, chairman, Northern Pacific Railway
- Hale Holden, president, Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad
- Julius Kruttschnitt, chairman, Southern Pacific Railroad
- Samuel Rea, president, Pennsylvania Railroad.
There were also two ex officio members who participated in board discussions and policies: Daniel Willard, President, Baltimore and Ohio Railroad (liaison with the recently formed Council of National Defense); and Edgar E. Clark, Commissioner, Interstate Commerce Commission (which was itself closely studying the national railroad problems).[1]
The board had limited success and, in late 1917, supported President Wilson’s decision to nationalize the railroads to support the war effort.[3]: 117 On December 26, 1917, Wilson created the United States Railroad Administration (USRA) to carry out that nationalization, after which the board dissolved.[1]
