Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-12-28

)TTUMWA SEMI-WEEKL
or desirable, such systems Of trans
portation to be operated and utilized
in the performance of such other ser
vices as the national interest may re-
quire and the usual ordinary business
and duties Of common carriers.
M'ADoo AS DIRECTOR.
1T is hereby directed that the pos
session, control, operation and utiliza-
tion Of such transportation systems
hereby by me undertaken shall be
exercised by and through William G.
McAdoo, who is hereby appointed and
designated director general of rail-
roads. Said director may parform the
duties imposed upon him, so long and
to such extent as he shall determine,
through the boards of directors, re-
ceivers, officers and employees Of said
systems Of transportation.
Until and except so far as said
director shall from time to time by
general or Especial orders otherwise
provide, the boards of directors, re-
ceivers, officers and employees Of the
various transportation systems shall
continue the operation thereof In the
usual and ordinary course OF the bust
ness Of common carriers, in the names
of their respective companies.
Until and except so far as said
director shall from time to time other
wise by general or special orders de-
termine, such systems of transporta-
tion shall remain subject to all exist
ing statutes and orders Of the inter
state commerce commission and to all
statutes and orders Of regulating com.
missions of the various states in
which said systems or any part there
of may be situated But any orders,
general or special hereafter made by
said director. shall have paramount
and be obeyed as such.
MAY INCLUDE STREET LINES.
Nothing herein shall be construed
as now affecting the possession, opera
ton and control Of street electric pas
senger railways, including railways
commonly called interurbans, whether
such railways be or be not owned or
by ouch railroad companies
or systems. BY subsequent order and
found necessary or desirable possess
sion, control or operation may be taken
Of all or any part of such street railway
systems, including subways and tun-
nels, and by subsequent order and
possession, control and
operation in whole or in part may also
be relinquished to the owners thereof
Of any part OF the railroad system or
rail and water systems, possession and
control Of which are hereby assumed.
1.-THE director shall as soon as may be
after having assumed such possession
and control enter upon negotiations
with the several companies looking to
agreements for just and reasonable
for the possession, use
md control Of their respective proper
ties on the basis Of an annual guaran-
iced compensation, above accruing de-
probation and the maintenance Of
heir properties, equivalent, as nearly
Is may be, to the average Of the net
operating income thereof for the three
2ear period ending June 80, 1s17-the
.esults of such negotiations to be re-
ported to me for such action as may be
appropriate and lawful.
STOCK RIGHTS PROTECTED.
But nothing herein contained, ex-
pressed or implied. or hereafter done
,r suffered hereunder shall be deemed
n any way to impair the rights Of the
bondholders, creditors
Ind other persons having interests in
;aid systems of transportation or in
ne profits thereof. to receive just and
adequate compensation fog the use and
control and operation Of their property
hereby assumed.
Regular dividends hitherto declared
md maturing interest upon bonds. de-
centuries and other obligations. may be
,aid in due course: and such regular
dividends and interest may continue to
,e paid until and unless the said d.
ector shall from time to time other
wise by general or special orders de-
ermine; and, subject to the approval
# the directors, the various carriers
nay agree upon and arrange for the
enewal and extension Of maturing OBJ
igations.
Except with the prior written as
ent Of said director, no attachment by
nesne process or on execution shall be
evied on or against any of the prop
rty used by any of the said transpor-
alton systems In the conduct of their
BUSINESS as common carriers; but
uits may be brought by and against
aid carriers and judgments repdered
6 hitherto until and except so far as
aid director may, by general or spec
III OIOcIS, OlHcI ~lSo OckSl IAAiS.
THROUGH WAR DEPARTMENT.
From and after IL o'clock on said
eighth day Of December, 1917,
II transportation systems included in
his order and proclamation shall con-
lusively be deemed within the pos
ession and control Of said director
Without further act or notice. But for
he purpose Of accounting said pos
ession and control shall date from II
clock midnight on December 81, 1917.
In witness whereof have hereunto
ct my hand ana cause the seal Of the
United States to be affixed.
Done by the president. through
1ewton D. Baker. Secretary Of War,
n the District OF Columia, this twenty
ixth day Of December, in the year OF
ur Lord one thousand nine hundred
nd seventeen, and Of Independence OF
he United States the one hundrd and
orty- second.
WOODROW WILSON.
NEWTON D. BAKER,
Secretary Of War.
ROBERT LANSING,
Secretary Of State"
DENIES