---
title: War Traffic Must Come First
url: https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/war-traffic-must-come-first-1941/
description: 'Railroad poster: a close, low-angle view of a streamlined steam locomotive''s driving wheels and rods, with the headline ''War Traffic Must Come First'''
section: Collection
---

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3. War Traffic Must Come First

[![War Traffic Must Come First, 1941 US poster: Railroad poster](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/images/war-traffic-must-come-first-1941.jpg)](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/images/war-traffic-must-come-first-1941.jpg)

# War Traffic Must Come First

Railroad poster: a close, low-angle view of a streamlined steam locomotive's driving wheels and rods, with the headline 'War Traffic Must Come First' and 'Don't Waste Transportation' beneath. The technique is faint here: an appeal to priority and national purpose, carried by the speed and weight of the image, with no specific claim or enemy named.

## Propaganda techniques used in this poster

[Glittering generalities](https://propagandaarchive.org/techniques/glittering-generalities/)

## Text on the object

Original (English) · read from the image, not independently checked

```
WAR TRAFFIC MUST
COME FIRST
DON'T WASTE TRANSPORTATION
ASSOCIATION OF AMERICAN RAILROADS in cooperation with the OFFICE OF DEFENSE TRANSPORTATION
[signature: Fred Chance]
```

[← War Production Drive (two donkeys, no headline)](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/war-production-drive-donkeys-1941/) [What d' ya mean - you ain't gonna buy no bonds? →](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/what-d-ya-mean-bonds-1941/)

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- [Gold solidus of Constantine I, reverse RESTITVTORI LIBERTATIS](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/solidus-constantine-i-restitutori-libertatis-0313/) (Roman Empire · 0313 · Glittering generalities)
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- [Frontispiece to Eikon Basilike, The Pourtraicture of His Sacred Majestie in his Solitudes and Sufferings (Hollar, 1649)](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/eikon-basilike-frontispiece-hollar-1649/) (Dutch Republic · 1649 · Transfer, Glittering generalities)