The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1917-05-16
WILSON ASKS
RAIL CONTROL
Seeks Authority From Con-
gress to Fix Priority of
Shipments.
FOR DURATION OF WAR
President Says Such Action
Has Become Imperatively
Necessary.
FOR DURATION OF WAR

WASHINGTON. May 15.-Broad Presi-
DENTAL authority over transportation.
including power to determine what COM
modities shall have preference in the
movement Of freight. was asked OF
Congress to-day by President Wilson
with the plea that "the exercise Of such
authority has become imperatively
necessary"
In submitting a resolution authorizing
him to exercise these powers for the
duration Of the war. or to delegate them
to a transportation commissioner. the
President wrote the House judiciary and
Commerce Committees that while the
railroads had shown a patriotic spirit,
creation Of some central authority
should be authorized at once to guide
in determining the priority OF ship
ments.
The resolution, drawn by Attorney
General Gregory. was introduced at
once in the House by Chairman Webb
Of the Judiciary Committee. and will be
presented in the Senate within a few
days.
Authority ConferEsd.
1t would give the President authority
during the war 'to direct that certain
kinds of traffic or particular shipments.
as may be determined by him. shall have
preference or priority in transportation
by any common carriers by railroad or
water" He alAo could give these
directions at and for such times as he
may determine. and may modify. change.
suspend. or annul them" and could
direct the exercise OF the powers con-
ferred by any department or agency of
the Government"
Other sections would empower the
transportation commission or commits
sioner thus created. to adopt. subject to
the Presidents approval, all necessary
rules and regulations for this procedure
and for the enforcement OF the direc-
tions to be given to carriers" II also is
provided specifically that mo act done
or omitted to be done by any carrier
necessary to comply with such direc-
tion shall be the basis of any criminal
or civil liability"
In a letter to Representative Webb
and to Chairman Adamson OF the Com
n.erce Committee the President wrote:
THE railroads OF the country have ir.
a very practical and PATRIOTS way con-
sented TO the formation. under the guild
a nee of the Council OF National Defence.
ot an executive committee. presided over
by Mr.. Daniel Willard, through which
they undertake to serve the interests OF
the Government and of the country in
the best and most effective way pos
sible under our guidance. or course
one department thinks the shipments in
which II is mosN interested the most inn
portant and deserving OF 'immediat te
transportation, while another depart
ment thinks K an imperative necessity
that other shipments should take prior
ity
Would Cause No Friction.
What this resolution would provide
L. adopted would be some authority by
which competitive questions of this sort
could be determined. II would cause nc
friction: indeed 1t would remove II; and
IL would relieve a very great embarrass-
ment arising out Of the existing condi-
tons.
"In asking the Attorney General to
draw the enclosed resolution did no,
request him to prescribe penalty. be-
cause had in ;nind>the following pro-
vision. which Ia already law and is con.
tanned In the army act of August 90
1915:
1.-The President. in time of war. Is
empowered. through the Secretary oi
War. to take possession and assum.
control OF any system or systems OF
transportation, or any part thereof. and
10 utilize the same. TO the exclusion o.
ali other traffic thereon, for the transfer
or transportation of troops. war ma
ter.al and equipment, or for such othe:
purposes connected with the emergency
as may be needful or desirable
II assumed that this furnished suf.
ficient sanction II sanction were needed
as think IL would not be-"