The Oklahoma City times. [volume] (Oklahoma City, Okla.) 1908-1984, 1918-01-04
PRESIDENT ASKS
500 MILLION TO
OPERATE LINES
Wilson Explains Why Govern
ment Took Over Control,
MUST FULLY PAY OWNERS
Average Income Of 3 Years
Past Will Be Guaranteed.

WASHl HlNNGTON, Jan 4,--President
Wilson laid before congress today his
recommendations Tor legislation to
carry ont government operation OF rail-
roads and administration bills to that
purpose, were introduced Immediately
III both houses,
While the president in his address,
laid stress on the Importance Of proper.
ly preserving the properties for their
return, the administration bill specific
ally provides that government control
shall obtain throughout the war and
until eopgre" shall thereafter order
otherwise"
Many government officials and rail-
road mci made no concealment OF
their belief that the railways never
would return to privatc~hands.
II was common gossip IN the chamber
after the president had finished his
message that he was limiting at govern
ment ownership of the railroads In the
near future.
An administration bill with esess pro-
visions, and appropriating $500 100000,
also was ready 10 be introduced In both
branches OF congress.
Only by government operation, the
president told congress, could the unity
NECESSARY to the country, be obtained,
and he added that existing organira-
tons Of the railroads should be dis
turbed as little a. possible.
The president laid stress on the guar
antics to the roads and their stock.
holders.
The president spoke a. ioliowsi
II have asked the privilege Of ad-
dressing you IN order 10 rcpwt that
on the twenty eighth OF December last,
during the recess OF congress, through
the secretary Of war and under The
authority conferred upon me by the act
Of congress, approved August 70. 1916
! took possession and assumed control
OF the railway lines OF the country
and the systems OF water transporta-
ton under their control. This step
seemed to be imperatively necessary Ia
the interest OF the public welfare, 10 the
presence Of the great tasks OF war with
which we are now dealing As our ex-
perience develops difficulties and makes
II clear what they arc, | have deemed
Il my duty to remove those wherever I
have the legal power to do So So to
assume control OF the vast railway sys-
tens Of the country. Is, I realize, a
very heavy responsibility. but TO fail
TO do so in the existing circumstances
would have been much greater, | as
sumed the less responsibility, rather
than the weighttr.
We Must win the War
u am sure that ! am speaking tho
mind OF all thoughtful Americans when
! say that II Is our duty as the repre-
sentatives Of the nation to do every
thing that II h necessary TO do to se-
cure their complete mobilization Of the
whole resources cf America by as rapid
and executive means as can be found.
Transportation supplies all the arteries
OF mobilization. Unless II be under
a single and unified direction. the
whole process Of the nations action is
embarrassed
ut was in the true spirit of america
and Il was right, that we should first
try 10 effect the necessary unification
under the voluntary action Of those who
were in charge Of the great railway
properties; and we did try II.
Those Called Did Duty.
The directors OF the railways re-
sponded to the need promptly and gem
erously, The group Of railway execu-
tiyes who were charged with the task
OF actual coordination and general di-
rection performed their difficult duties
with patriotic zeal and marked ability,
as was TO have been expected, and did.
! believe everything that it was pos
sible for them 10 DO in the circum-
stances.
"lf | have taken the task out OF
their hands, Il has not been because
Of any dereliction or failure on
their part, but only because there =
were some things which the gov
eminent can do and present man
agement cannot. We shall continue
TO value most highly the advice aAA
assistance Of these gentlemen snS
! am sure we shall not find them
Withholding H.
ut had become unmistakably
plain that only under government
administration can the entire equip
msnt Of the several systems OF
transportation be fully and unfe-
servedly thrown into common ser
vice without injurious discrimins-
tion against particular properties.
Only under government administra-
ton can an absolutely and anembar-
raSsed common use he made OF all
tracks. terminals, terminal facilities and
equipment OF every kind Only under
that authority can new terminals bs
constructed and developed without re-
card Ia The feutii remenlS ar limitations