The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1917-12-28

nittes have already Suffered from
.hese circumstances and should not be
required to suffer further. In mere
fairness to them the full authority of
The government must be substituted
The government itself will thereby
gain an immense increase of efficiency
In the conduct of the war and of the
nnumerable activities upon which its
successful conduct depends.
Public Comes First.
The public interest must be first
'erved, and, in addition, the financial
interests of the government and the
financial interests of the railways must
De brought under a common direction.
THE financial operations of the
-ailroads need not then interfere with
he borrowings of the government and
hey themselves can be conducted at a
greater advantage.
investors in railway securities may
'est assured that their rights and in
;erests will be as scrupulously looked
after by the government as they could
De by the directors of the several rail.
way systems. Immediately upon the
reassembling of Congress, | shall re-
commend that these definite guaran-
ices be given:
First, OF course, that the railway
properties will be maintained during
he period of federal control in as good
repair and as complete equipment as
we're taken over by the government,
and
"Second-that the roads shall re-
,eive a net operating income, equal in
Zach case to the average net income of
he three years preceding June 80,
1917; and / am entirely confident that
he Congress will be disposed in this
Ease. as In others to see that justice
s done and full security assured to
he owners and creditors OF the great
systems which the government must
low use under its own direction or else
suffer serious embarrassment
Best Results Are Sought.
"The Secretary of War and / are
agreed that, al the circumstances be
ng taken into consideration, the best
results can bs obtained under the inn
mediate executive administration oi
he Hon. William G. McAdoo, whose
practical experience peculiarly fits him
'or the service and whose authority as
Secretary of the Treasury will enable
him to coordinate, as no other man
could. the many financial interests
which will be involved and which
night, unless systematically directed
'ufier very embarrassing entangie
uents.
THE government of the United
States is the only great government
low engaged In the war which had not
already assumed control of this sort
t was thought to be the spirit oil
American institution to attempt to do
everything that was necessary through
private management, and il zeal and
ability and patriotic motive could have
accomplished the necessary unificatior
II administration. 1t would certainly
ave been accomplished, but no zeal OF
ability could overcome insuperable OBJ
stacles, and have deemed 1t my duty
% recognize that fact In all candor
now that 1t is demonstrated and to use
without reserve the great authority re
posed in me. A great national neces
,ity dictated the action and waf
therefore not at liberty to abstain
trom IL.
WOODROW WILSON,"
/
Secretary Wilson liI.
Washington. Dec. 2S.-Secretary oI
Labor Wilson II III from overwork on
his long trip through the West al
mediator in labor disputes. II is no,
known when he win be able to resume
his official duties. Though his illness
y not regarded =. dangerous.