[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 Wilson to nationalize the railroads to support the war effort.