Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1918-01-10

Mr.. McAdoo explained to-day that, al
though no general provision can be made
under the law for exempting railroad en-
ployes from the draft, he will not hesitate
to appeal to local exemption boards to
defer the calling of these workers IL the
boards of their own vslition do not dis
play a tendency to regard the railroads
as an essential industry, from which en-
ployes should not be taken for military
service.
R. r. EXECUTIVES PRAISED.
In his address to Congress. President
Wilson. announcing his action in taking
over the railroads. praised the way in
which railroad executives went to work
in an attempt to unity their lines under
private management. but said the war
emergency demanded government action
because only under government admins
tratiOn could an absolutely unrestricted
and unembarrassed common use be made
of all lines and facilities. He promised
that 1.-THE common administration will be
carried out with as little disturbance
OF the present operating organizations and
personnel Of the railways as possible. 1"
and repeated the assurance given in his
proclamation last week that owners Of
railroad securities should not suffer fnan-
cial loss because Of the new plan of oper-
alton.
PROVISIONS OF BILL.
When the President concluded. the adj
ministration bill was introduced in the
Senate by Senator Smith Of South Caro-
lima. ranking democratic member of the
Senate interstate commerce committee,
and in the House by Chairman Sims
OF the interstate commerce committee.
In addition to appropriating $500 O0O, 900
and providing for the compensation basis,
under which the government guarantees
an aggregate return of some $500 OOO, 900
year. the measure sets forth in detail
the conditions upon which government
operation Is to be carried, and in addi-
ton to specified powers given the Presi-
dent. would authorize him to exercise
other powers necessary to maintain prac-
tlcal government operation. and to dele
gate his authority to any agency.
Under the last provision, the Presi-
dent is expected to issue an order trans
ferring to Director General McAdoo all
functions vested in the chief executive
This will enable the director-general
to organize corporation for handling
railroad securities in accordance with
| plan now under consideration.
NOTIFICATIONS LIKELY.
Railroad officials are expected to urge
number of notifications of the &C.
| counting method prescribed by the bill
I for reaching the standard return basis
but officials expect the scheme by fol.
| lowed in the main. Some discussion IL
! looked for over the bills provision tina,
| new federal taxes under the war reve.
| nue. act are not to be charged agains,
tn -
| return as are ordinary taxes. The ef
feet of this will be to require rail,
roads to pay war taxes out Of theil
government compensation.
! The broad power which the administra
ton would have over the roads was illus
trated by the bills provision that the Pres
ident might order any extension or i'm
prOvements and advance funds necessar,
for these. The procedure In such casel
| would be for the road to Ossue bonds t.
finance the improvements. and thes,
bonds would be absorbed by the govern
ment revolving fund. Director Genera
McAdoo already has indicated that h
will not hesitate to order new lines built
or adequate terminal or other facilitie,
constructed wherever they are though
necessary.
Great Significance was seen by congress
sional leaders in the section providing TO
acquisition and operation of water trans
portatiOn facilities. Advocates Of barg
transportation on the Mississippi. Mis-
souri, and Ohio rivers the Erie canal, ant
other inland routes. have conferred will
the director general within the past wool
and received his assurances that waite
transportation would be given attention
as soon as he has time to take up the ques
ton.
II Congress passes the bill with a $500.
100000 appropriation this sum will hav
to be raised by issue Of additional Libert
bonds, unless it should become apparen
that economies under the government pool
ing system are sufficient to counter bal
ance special expenditures and to NEE
possible deficit in this years earning
| ,,oao, tha tandard return.