Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1917-12-27

slole under private management and
control. The committee of railway ex-
ccutlNes who have been co-operatins
with the government in this all imnort-
ant matter nave done the utmost that
II was possible for them TO do. have
aone II with patriotic zeal and with
great ability. but there were differences
mat they could neither escape nor neu-
'rahZe. complete unity of admipistra-
'oh IN the present circumstance in
NoNes upon occasion and at many
points 2 serious d~iSlocatipn Of carnines
ana me m was, of course. with.
CUT power or authority to rc-arrance
charges of effect proper conversations
ana adjustments of earnings Several
roads which were willingly and with
admirable public spirit acceptinr the
orders OF the committee have already
sn1ercd from these circumstances and
should not he required TO suffer fur-
ther.
IN mere FAIRNESS to them tho full am
thorltN of the government must no
substituted. he government itself will
thereby gain an immense increase of
elnc!encN in the conduct of the war and
OF the lnnumerable activities upon
which It's successful conduct depends.
Public Must Be First Served
inc public interest must he first serv-
eG and. in addition. the financial iutcr-
ests or the government and the financial
interests of the railways must he brought
under a common direction. Tho financial
operations of the RAILWAYS need not flo,
interfere with the borrowings Of the gov
eminent and tbsI t1.r,,.I..
Quoted at Il greater advantage. Investors
~ railway securities may rest assured
that their rights and interests will bc as
S'fup"iouslS looked after by the govern
fHehl as they could be by the directors %
me several railway systems. Immcdiatek.
upon 'he reasscmblinc of Congress I shall
recommend that these definite yuarantca.
ne gwen: First. of course. thar tho ra,i-
way properties Will be maintained d,,r,r,
the period of federal control in as COOL
repair and as complete equipment as whom
taken over by the government. and nor
ohd' mat the roads shall received , nor
'perdihe income equal in each case to tie
average net income Of the three wears
preceding June -, 1877; and | am ontirnry
cohli"eht that the Congress will he dis
i sea IN TINS case. as in others, to sec ina.
;.. ~ - Ni'-
justice IS done and full security ass,,reI
TO me owners and creditors of Tho or,,t
systems which the government must nou.
use under its own direction or al,o s,,eam
serious embarrassment.
Believes McAdoo Should Direct
Inc secretary of war and = croo
tfa'. all the circumstances being taken
INTO consideration. the best results c,,
be obtained under the immediate .xoo,
tive direction of the Hon Wiu,.,, = ".
Adoo' whose practical experience nec,,-
iiarly fits him for the service .,l u
authority as secretary Of the treasure
"'' '"""le MN To coordinate as no other
'''n coHio the many financial interests
"h'ch VIII be involved and which nigh,
unless sHstematirally directed, suffer v.rv
embarrassing cntanglements.
me government Of tho I-nitod
states is tho only great gnycrnmout
now engaged in the war which b,e nnt
'lready assumed control of This .n,,
II was though to he in tI,a sniri, ~
american institutions to attomp, ~
20 everything that was nocosear,.
through private management. ana r.
ga ana abllltN ana patriotic love
''"lu rave accomplish cd the necessary.
unii'a'ioh OF administration. il cor
fanny WOULD nave been ACCOMPLISHED
pu' no zeal or ability could overcome
ilSuperabie obstacles. and ha,a
"eei'eu IL my duty TO '~recognize thar
iact In all candor now that if is dom
ohstrated and to use without resor,.a
inc great authority reposed in mo A,
great national necessity dictated H.
actlon n ] was therefore not at ill.,
erty to abstain from it.
"tSienedD WOODROW VIII
Presidents Proclamation
Following is the Presidents procla-
nation:
BY the President Of tho tnitoJ
States Of America
"A proclamation
Whereas the Congress Of the Init
cd states in the exercise of the con-
stitutional authority vested in them bv
joint resolution Of the senate and
House Of Representatives hearing date
April 6, 1917, resolved:
That the state Of war between
the United States and the TmperiaI
German government which has TING
't'' Hih 'poI lje tnlIh1 states Ia
hereby formally declared; and that tho
President be and he is hereby author
lied and directed to employ the entire
nava land military forces of the United
States and the resources Of the gov
to carry on war against the
Imperial German government: and to
bring the conflict to n successful ter
mination. all Of the reserve forces are
hereby pledged by the Congress Of the
United States
And by joint resolution bearing date
Of December {. 1917. resolved:
THAT a state Of war is hereby de-
clared to exist between the Cnitc6
States of America and the Imperial
and Royal Austro-Hungarian govern
ment: and that the President be. and
he is hereby, authorized and directed
TO employ the entire naval and mill
tary forces of the United States and
the resources of the government to-
carry on war against the Imperial and
Royal Austro- Hungarian government:
Continued on Page 5-cei. y