Meade County news., 1918-01-03


successful termination all the re-
sources of the country are hereby
pledged by the Congress Of the United
States.
And whereas it is provided by section
of the act approved August 29. 1916,
entitled An act making appropriations
for the support of the army for the fis-
cal year ending June 30, 1917, and for
other purposes as follows:
"The President in time of war is em-
powered, through the Secretary of War,
to take possession and assume control
OF any system or systems of transporta-
tion or any part thereof. and to utilize
the same, to the exclusion as far as may
be necessary of all other traffic thereon,
for the transfer or transportation of
troops, war material and equipment, or
for such other purposes connected with
the emergency as may be needful or de-
sirable.
And whereas, 1t has now become nee
essary in the national defense to take
possession and assume control of certain
systems OF transportation and to utilize
the same, to the exclusion as far as may
thereon, for the transportation of troops,
war material and equipment therefor,
and for other needful and desirable pur-
poses connected with the prosecution Of
the war;
Now. therefore. 1, Woodrow Wilson,
President of the United States, under
and by virtue of the powers vested in
me by the foregoing resolutions and stat
thereto me enabling do hereby, through
Newton d. Baker Secretary of War;
take possession and assume control at
IL O'Clock noon on the 2Sth day of De-
Of transportation and the appurtenances
thereof located wholly or in part within
the boundaries of the continental United
states and consisting OF railroads. and
owned or controlled systems of coast
wise and inland transportation, engaged
in general transportation, whether oper-
ated by steam or electric power includ-
ing also terminals. terminal companies
ana terminal associations, sleeping and
parlor cars, private cars and private car
lines, elevators warehouses, telegraph
and telephone lines, and all other equip
ment and appurtenances commonly used
or combined rail and water systems of
transportation-to the end that such
systems of transportation be utilized for
the transfer and transportation Of troops,
war material and equipment, to the eX-
cllision so far as smay be necessary of all
other traffic there onand that so far
as such exclusive use be not necessary
or desirable, such systems of transporta-
ton be operated and utilized In the per-
formance of such other services as the
national interest may require and OF the
usual and ordinary business and duties
of common carriers.
1T is hereby directed that the posses
sion, control, operation and utilization
of such transportation systems hereby
by me undertaken shall be exercised by
and through William G. McAdOo, who is
hereby appointed and designated direc-
tor general of railroads. Said director
may perform the duties imposed upon
him, so long and to such extent as
shall determine, through the boards a
directors, receivers officers and em'
ployes of said systems of transportation
Until and except so far as said director
shall from time to time by general oI
| special orders otherwise provide, the
boards of directors. receivers, Officers
and employees of the various Transports
| tion systems shall continue the opera
| ton thereof in the usual and ordinary
| course of the business of common car
| rlers, in the names of their respective
| companies.
Until and except so far as said di.
| rector shall from time to time otherwise
| by general or special orders determine
| such systems of transportation shall re.
| main subject to all existing statutes ant
orders of the Interstate Commerce Com
mission and to all statutes and order!
| OF regulating commissions Of the various
states in which said systems or any par
| thereof may be situated. But any or.
| ders, general or special, hereafter mad,
/ by said director, shall have paramount
authority and be obeyed as such.
Nothing herein shall be construed nj
| now affecting the possession, operation
railways, including railways commonly
called interurbans, whether such rail.
| ways be or be not owned or controlled
| by such railroad companies or systems
by subsequent order and proclamation
| If and when II shall be found necessary
| or desirable, possession, control or oper.
| alton may be taken of all or any part oi
such street railway systems, including
! subways and tunnels. and by subsequent
| order and proclamation, possession. con-
| troll and operation in whole or in part
may also be relinquished to the owners
| thereof of any part of the railroad sys-
nr Ton nd uNGtn
sion and control of which are hereby
assumed.
"The director shall as soon as may be
after having assumed such possession
and control enter upon negotiations with
the several companies. looking to agree
ments for just and reasonable compensa-
tion for the possession, use and control
OF their respective properties on the
sation. above accruing depreciation and
the maintenance of their properties,
equivalent, as nearly as may be. to the
average Of the net operating income
thereof, for the Swear period ending
June 30, 1917-the results of sue negotia-
tions to be reported to me for such ac-
tion as may be appropriate and lawful.
"But nothing herein contained, ex-
pressed or implied, or. hereafter done or
suffered hereunder, shall be deemed In
any way TO impair tho rights OF the
stockholders, bondholderfi, creditors and
other persons having interests In said
fits thereof to receive ju1t and adequate
compensation for the use and control
and operation of their property hereby
assumed.
Regular dividends hitherto declared
and maturing interest upon bonds, de-
bentures and other obligations may be
paid in due course; and such regular
dividends and interest may continue to
be paid until and unless the said direc-
tor shall from time to time otherwise by
general or special orders determine; and
subject to the approval of the director,
the various carriers may agree upon and
arrange for the renewal and extension
Of maturing obligations.
Except with the prior written assent
OF said director, no attachment by mesne
process or on execution shall be levied
on or against any of the property used
by any of the said transportation sys-
TENS in the conduct Of their business as
common carriers; but suits may be
brought by and against said carriers and
and except so far as said director may
by general or special orders otherwise
determine.
From and after 12 o'clock on said
twenty-e eighth day Of December, 1917, all
transportation systems included in this
order and proclamation shall conclu-
sively be deemed within the possession
and control OF said director without fur
ther act or notice. But for the purpose
of accounting said possession and con-
troll shall date from IL o'clock midnight.
December 81 1917
'In witness whereof I have hereunto
set my hand and caused the seal of the
United States to be affixed
Done by the Presidet, through New
ton ID. Baker, Secretary OF War, in the
District of Columbia, this twenty-sixth
day Of December in the year Of Our Lord