The daily banner. (Cambridge, Md.) 1897-2008, 1918-12-03

monneu private control, under more
unified and affirmative public regula-
ton and under such alterations Of the
law as will permit WaSteful rompeti-
tion to be avoided and IL considerable
degree Of uniticatiun of administration
to be effected. as. for example. by re
gional corporations under which the
railways of definahIa areas Would be
in effect combined in single systems.
The one conclusion hat ! am ready
to state with confidence is that ii
would be n diSServicC alike to the
country and to the owners of the rail
roads to return Ia the old conditions
lmmoditied. These are econditions of
restraint without development. There
is nothing affirmative or helpful about
them
What the country chiefly needs is
HAT i'll its means of transportation
should he developed: its railways, its
waterways. its highways and It's
countryside roads.
Some new element of policy, there
fore, is absolutely necessary-neces'
Sary for tie service of the public,
necessary for the release of credit Ia
those who are administering the rail
ways, necessary for the protection of
their sc,nri1y holders.
The old policy may be changed
much or little, but surely il cannot
wisely be left as ii was.
hope that the congress will have
Il complete and impartial study Of the
whole pr.sbem instituted at once AMI
prosecuted as rapidly as possible.
I stand ready and anxious to release
the roads from the resent control
and l must do so at IL Very early date
if by waiting until the statutory limit
Of time * reached | shall be merely
prolOn@ing The period of doubt and
uncertainty which is hurtful TO every
interest concerned.
welcome this occasion to announce
To the congress my purpose TO join in
Paris the representatives Of the gov
crnmentS with which we have been
associated III the war against the CEN
trail empires for the purpose of dis
cuSSing with them the main features
of the treaty of peace.
| realize the great Inconvenience
that will attend my leaving the cOun-
try, particularly at this time. but the
conclusions that it was my paramount
by considerations which l hope will
seem rs conclusive to YOU as they
have seemed to me-
The allied governments have accept
ed the bases of peace which outlined
to the congress on the eighth of Janu-
AIRY last, as the central empires also
have, and very reasonably desire my
personal counsel in their interpreta-
ton and application. and it is highly
desirable that l should give it in or
Ger that the sincere desire of our gov
eminent to contribute without selfish
purpose of any kind to settlements
that Will he of common benefit to all
he nations concerned may he made
FULLY manifest.
The peace settlements which are
now To be agreed upon are of trans
cepdent Importance both to US and to
the rest of the world, and | know OF
no business or interest which should
take precedence of them
The gallant men of our armed fore
g OF land and sea have consciously
fought for the ideals which they knew
10 be the ideals of their country
|, have sought to express those ideals g..
hey have accepted my statements Of
Them as the substance of their own
thought and purpose, as the aSS0ciat-
-! governments have accepted them,
owe it to them to see to ii. so far
-; in me lies, that no false or mistak.
II Interpretation is put upon them.
md no possible effort omitted to real
20 them.
1t is now my duty to play my full
::art in making good what they offered
neif lives 10 obtain.
| can think of no call to service
'vhich could transcend this.
shall be in close touch with yol
nd with affairs on this side of thu
water. and you will know all that | do
At my request, the French and En-
ii>h governments have absolutely re
aoved the censorship of cable news
,.hich until within a fortnight they
nd maintained and there is now ~
;'nSorship whatever exercised at th:.'
nd except upon attempted trade con-
'nunicatiOns with enemy countries.
Ii has been necessary TO keep il
: ire constantly available between
'triS and the department of STATE
nd another between France and TIL,
apartment of war
IL order that this might be don
III the least possible interference
lIh the other uses of the cables. I
lol of both cables order that th,
:'ay he used as ngle system.
| did so at the ADVICE of the mos.
',,Derienced cable officials, and | hope
sat the results will Justify my hope
rat the news of the next few month.
nay pass with The utmost freedom
I'd with the least possible delay from,
arA site Of the st, TO the other.
May | not hope. gentlemen, of tn,
'
Hall have 10 perform on the Other
lie of the sea in my efforts truly ami
r.,ithfully TO Interpret the principles
I'd purposes Of the country We love
may have the encouragement am!
,ne added strength of your united SUP.
port?
| realize the magnitude and difii"i.
of the duty | am undertaking: !,
poignantly aware OF its grave re
.&onsfbilities. / am the servant %
ie nation.
l can have no private thought cr
rpoSe of my own in performing such
IN errand.
-, % give the t.'.r Hat is IN M.
to the common settlements which |
i lust now assist in arriving 1T in con
ference with the other working heads
Of the associated governments
| shall count upon yOur friendly
ountenance and encouragement.