Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1917-04-13
Bill in Congress Authorizes
President to Assume
Powers.
TELEGRAPH LINES
TO BE INCLUDED
Bill Would Give Power to Operate All
or Part Of Any System Needed For
War Purposes and to Use Troops to
Protect Lines-Measure Carries Pro.
posed Increase in Interstate Com
msrce Commission to Assist.

Washington, April 13.-The first Of
the war measures actually came up in
congress today when the house took
up for passage bill to authorize the
issue Of $4,000, 100000 in bonds and
$2,O00,000,000 in treasury certificates.
Democratic Leader Kitchin took
charge Of the measure on the floor.
There was no attempt to limit debate
but the leaders were desirous to get
the bill passed before adjournment.
Washington, April 13. Power for
the president to order railway officials
to operate any part Of their rolling
stock during wag time as he may see
fit without actually taking over rail-
roads Is given in the common carrier
regulation bill Of the last session, re-
introduced in amended form today by
Chairman Adamson, OF the house
transportation committee.
Authority for the president to take
control Of all railroads, telegraph and
telephone lines and to use the mill
tary to protect the operation OF the
railroad lines and to increase the per-
sonnel Of the interstate commerce
commissian from seven 70. eleven
members are Included In the bin.
fouid 9uhaividS -f1mmiae,Dn. :ss i.
s Compensation for the use Of rolling
stock by the government would be
fixed by, the Interstate commerce COM
mission.
All property taken over by the pres
ident would be turned over to tho
owners after the war.
Attempts to evade service ordered
by the government would be dealt with
severely.
Coupled with the proposed increase
Of the personnel Of the commission
would be a provision to subdivide it
for the purpose of expediting business.
As now constituted the commission
finds It impossible to keep abreast Of
its work.
mitting the president to use the mill
tary to guard the trains is made
against strikes.
Government TO Take Vessels.
Plans TO release for government use
many coastwise vessels on both the
Atlantic and Pacific seaboard are un-
der way among the chief railroads.
Thru the council Of national defense
the government has requested the
roads to rearrange their schedules
so as to permit all vessels in coast
wise trade to be used by the govern
ment.
Many Of these ships probably would
be used In the transportation of sup
plies to the allies pending construc-
ton Of the governments fleet Of wood
en- vessels, the first of which will be
ready in about five months.
Steam ships operating on the great
lakes also will be used for the same
purpose,
Stable Fleet Available.
A sizable fleet for the rans-Atlan-
tic trade, officials believe could be OBJ
tanned quickly by taking over the chief
coastwise vessels. On the Pacific there
are only few vessels which could be
made available for this trade.
The chief problem confronting the
railroads in working out the plan Is
to dispose of the burden Of traffic at
present carried by the coastwise ves-
sells. Thru pooling their interests In
equipment the roads hope to evolve q
plan under which most Of the coast
wise traffic can be diverted to rail
lines.
To permit the shipping board to OPP
crate at its maximum efficiency demo-
cratic leaders in congress are consider
ing proposal to increase the sum
placed at the boards disposal from
$50, 100000 to $200,ooo,Ooo. The latter
sum, II is thought, will be needed
when the wooden ship program is in
full operation.
Hearings on the army bill continued
before the house military committee
today, and. It vas decided to hee. the
last witnesses Saturday. The admin
istration leaders hope to have consid-
Grafton in the house under way next
week.
Following is tabulation by. the war
department of the forces proposed "a
be organized in the bill. so arranged
as to show the exact number OF vol
unteers, to serve for the duration OF
the war only, for which provision. Is
made In both the regular army and the
national guard:
Regular army, exclusive Of Philip
pine scouts:
At waO strength. with all incre.
ments added, 2s3,00o.
Present strength, 131,4s1.
Volunteers required, 1850.
National guard. including only unit.
now organized:
At war, strength. 32s,9b4.
Present strength, lss,s05.