The Railroads' War Board was a committee of US railroad executives, created voluntarily by the railroad industry in early 1917, in an attempt to improve railroad operations 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:
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 the decision by President Woodrow Wilsontonationalize the railroads to support the war effort.[3]: 117 Wilson established the United States Railroad Administration, to nationalize the railroads, on December 26, 1917.[1]
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