The B&O Railroad Goes to War

Part II: June - August 1917

The nation's railroads were mobilized and working together to send men and supplies to Europe. In June 1917, the first Americans set foot on French soil. Troops and supplies were being sent en masse to the east coast of the United States. In the month of June alone, the B&O transported 91 troop trains, carrying soldiers headed for France. From July 1916 - July 1917 the B&O transported thousands of soldiers on 644 troop trains.

In this image soldiers stand next to a B&O Railroad Troop Train. On the second and third car, soldier's heads can be seen hanging out all while waving. Scenes like this were common all along the B&O during World War I. On June 29, 1917, in a speech by Daniel Willard to upper management: "While we have troop trains to move, they are to have the right of way over everything except a train carrying the President of the United States. We will stop everything - freight trains, passenger trains - everything will give way to the steady and comfortable movement of the troops."  Image is from the collection of the B&O Railroad Museum, ca. 1916-1918.

 

Also in June, the B&O continued in its efforts to encourage their employees to support the war effort. In the United States Liberty Loan of 1917, bonds were issued on June 15th. President Daniel Willard and B&O management heavily pushed the purchase of these bonds by employees:

"I feel confident that all employees of the Baltimore and Ohio Company will desire to do their part in this great emergency and will welcome the opportunity to subscribe for these bonds, thus showing their patriotism by lending part of their savings to the Government at the same time securing for themselves a good investment. Daniel Willard, President"

Image is from the collection of the B&O Railroad Museum, ca. July 1917

 From June - August there were three different national registration days for the military draft - a result of the Selective Service Act of 1917. B&O draftees and volunteers were continuously going into the service. In May, women workers known as "The First Hundred" began to fill the spots left by men. Throughout the summer, women filled these roles in increasing numbers. Here are some of the trailblazers that entered the workforce for the B&O:

Image is from the collection of the B&O Railroad Museum, ca. June 1917

Image is from the collection of the B&O Railroad Museum, ca. June 1917

Image is from the collection of the B&O Railroad Museum, ca. June 1917

Image is from the collection of the B&O Railroad Museum, ca. June 1917

Possibly the most important event of the summer for the B&O Railroad was the Officers' Meeting of June 29-30th. This annual meeting of management was held at the Deer Park Hotel. Various sessions were held by different departments, working on internal improvements, with special attention paid to the war effort. One of the major focuses was addressing the traffic problems that were continuing to get worse throughout 1917. Part of the problem was the government placing "preference tags" on freight cars. Another area of concern that was discussed was ways to improve waste of resources, such as: water, coal, and even electricity. 

Dan Willard gave his President's Address, which lasted more than thirty minutes. In this speech, he covered the present challenges, the triumphs, and above all else, how to use the company to make the United States successful. The text was printed in the Employee Magazine and read by hundreds if not thousands of employees. Willard's address set the tone and focus of the company going forward for the rest of the war.

The annual officers meeting for the B&O Railroad took place on June 29-30, 1917. The passionate address delivered by President Willard set the tone for the company throughout World War I. Image is from the collection of the B&O Railroad Museum, ca. July 1917.

Image is from the collection of the B&O Railroad Museum, ca. August 1917

By Harrison Van Waes

B&O Railroad Museum

The B&O Railroad Goes to War is a multi-part blog series commemorating the centennial of American involvement in World War I. Follow along with this series through November 2018.

Sources:

B&O Railroad Museum Archives.

Baltimore & Ohio Employee Magazine: June - August 1917

Hungerford, Edward. The Story of the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad: 1827-1927. New York: Putnam, 1928.

Leach, Jack Franklin. Conscription in the United States: Historical Background. Vermont: C.E. Tuttle, 1952.

Stover, John F. History of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad. Indiana: Purdue University Press, 1987.