Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1918-01-02

controlled systems OF ccastY'ise ana IT,
land transportation, engaged in gem
eral transportation, whether operated
by steam or by electric power, includ-
ing also terminals. terminal companies
and terminal associations, sleeping and
parlor cars, private cars and private
car lines, elevators. warehouses, tele-
graph and telephone lines and all
other equipment and appurtenances
commonly used upon or operated az
part of such rail or combined rail and
water systems of transportation-to
the end that such systems of transpor-
tation be utilized for the transfer and
transpo. tation of troops, war material
and equipment, To the exclusion So
far as may be necessary of all other
traffic thereon, and that so far as such
exclusive use be not necessary or de-
sirable, such systems of transportation
be operated and utilized In the per-
Torrance of such other services as the
national interest may require and the
usual and ordinary business and du-
ties of common carriers.
at is hereby directed that the pos
session. control, operation and utiliza-
ton of such transportation systems
hereby by me undertaken shall be ex-
ercised by and through William G. Nc
Adoo, who is hereby appointed and
designated director general of rail
roads. Said director may perform 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 di-
rector shall from time TO time by gen
eral or special orders otherwise pro-
vide. the boards of directors. receivers.
officers and employers of the various
transportation systems shall CONTINUES
the operation thereof in the usual and
ordinary course of the business Of com
non carriers. in the names of their re-
spective companies.
Until aud except so far as said di-
rector 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 thereof may
be situated. But any orders general
or special. hereafter made by said d.
rector. shall have paramount author
ity and he obeyed as such.
Electric Lines Exempt
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 he not owned or
controlled by such railroad companies
or systems
"'The director shall as soon rs may
be after having assumed such posses
sion and control enter upon negotia-
lions with the several companies look
Ing 70 agreements for just and reason
able compensation for the possession.
use and control Of their respective
properties on the basis of an annual
guaranteed compensation. above ac-
cruing depreciation and the mainten-
ance Of their properties. equivalent.
rs nearly as may he. to the average
~ the net operating income thereof
for the three-year period ending June
20 I917-the results If such negutia-
tions 70 be reported 10 me for such
action rs may he appropriate and law
ful.