South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1917-12-27

WASHINGTON. Dec. 27-Follow-
ing is the presidents proclamation
taking over the railways:
by the president of the United
States OF America.
a proclamation:
Whereas. the congress of the
United States, in the exercise of the
constitutional authority vested in
them. by joint resolution of the
senate and house OF representa-
tives bearing date April 6. 1917, re-
solved:
That the state of war between
the United States and the imperial
German government which has
thus been thrust upon the United
States is hereby formally declared
and that the president, be, and he
is hereby authorized and directed
10 employ the entire naval and
military forces of the United States
and the resources of the government
to carry on war against the imperial
German government; and 10 bring
the conflict 10 a successful termin-
alton, all the resources of the coun-
try are hereby pledged by the con-
gress of the United States.
"And by joint resolution bearing
date of Dec. Z, 1917, resolved:
That a state of war is hereby
declared TO exist between the United
States of America and the imperial
and royal Austro- Hungarian gov
eminent: and that the president be
and ne is hereby authorized and di-
rected 10 employ the entire naval
and military forces of the United
States and the resources Of the gov
eminent 20 carry on war against
the imperial and royal Austro- Hun
garian government; and TO bring
the conflict to a successful termin-
alton, all the resources of the coun-
try are hereby pledged by the con-
gress Of the United States.
Empowered by 1916 Act.
And. whereas, il is provided by
section one of the act approved Aug
%. 1916, entitled An act making
appropriations for the support OF
the army for the fiscal year ending
June 30, 1917, and for other pur-
poses as follows: The president i'm
time Of war is empowered through
the secretary Of war 70 take posses
sion and assume control of any sys-
tenn or systems of transportation
or any part thereof, and 10 utilize
the same TO the exclusion as far as
may be necessary Of all other traf-
fc thereon. for the transfer OF
transportation of troops. war ma
teriaI and equipment, or for such
other purposes connected with the
emergency as may be needful OF
desirable
And. whereas, il has now be
come necessary in the national de
Tense 10 take posses and as
transportation and TO utilize the
same. to the exclusion as far as may
be necessary Of other than war
traffic thereon. for the transporta-
ton Of troops war material and
equipment therefor, and for other
needful and desirable purposes
connected with the prosecution of
the war
Now, therefore, I. Woodrow VIII
son. president of the United States
under and by virtue of the powers
vested in me by the foregoing reso-
tions and statute and by virtue Of
all other powers thereto me en-
abling. do hereby through Newton
d. Baker. secretary Of war, take
possession and assume control at L
O clock noon on the 2Sth day of
December. 1917, of each and every
system Of transportation and the
appurtenances thereof, located
wholly or in part within the boun-
diaries of the continental United
States and consisting OF railroads.
and owned or controlled systems of
coastwise and inland transportation
eneaged in general transportation,
whether operated by steam or by
electric power. including also ter
minals. terminal companies and
terminal associations, sleeping and
parlor cars, private cars and private
car lines, elevators, warehouses, tel
egraph and telephone lines and all
other equipment and appurtenances
commonly used upon or operated as
a part OF such rail or com bined rail
and water systems of transporta-
tion;-to the end that such systems
or transportation be utilized for the
transfer and transportation OF
troops, war material and equipment.
10 the exclusion so far as may be
necessary Of all other traffic there
on; and that so far as such exclu-
sive use be not necessary or desir-
able, such systems OF transportation
be operated and utilized in the per-
formance OF such other services as
the national interest may require
and Of the usual and ordinary bust
ness and duties OF common car
riers-