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Wartime Problems Of American Railroads, 1939-1945, Walter Lawrence Mcmurtry

History ETDs

The World War II experience of the American railroads was characterized by a close relationship between the railroads and the federal government. Unlike in World War I, however, when the railroads were actually operated by the government, the railroads in World War II remained under private control. This reflected President Franklin D. Roosevelt's own preference as well as that of the railroad managers. The railroads faced major problems in World War II. The amount of domestic transportation required was enormous. But highway transportation was restricted during the war by shortages of gasoline and rubber, and coastwise water transportation was restricted …