Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1918-01-05
BROAD POWER
Continued from Page One)

cd control of the railway lines Of the
country and the systems of water trans
portation under their control. This ste ,
seemed to be imperatively necessary in
the interest Of the public welfare. in tn:
presence of the great tasks of war with
which we are now dealing. AS our expe-
rience develops difficulties and makes it
clear what they are. [ have deemed it my
duty to remove those difficulties wherever
I, | have the legal power to do so. TO as
sumo control of the vast railway systems
o. the country is, [ realize, a very great
responsibility. but to fail to do so in the
existing circumstances would have been
much greater. 1 assumed the less respon-
sibility rather than the weghtier 7 am
sure that | am speaking the mind Of all
thoughtful Americans when l say that il
is our duty as the representatives, Of the
nation TO do everything that it is neces-
sary 10 do 70 secure the complete mobn-
%atiO of the whole resources of America
by as rapid and effective a means as can
be found. Transportation supplies all the
arteries of mobilization. Unless it be I'M
der single and unified direction, the
whole process Of the nations action IS
embarrassed
! 1t was in the true spirit Of America and
It was right, that we should first try to
effect the necessary uniiication under the
voluntary action of those who were in
charge Of the great railway properties
! and We did try it. The directors of the
railways responded to the need promptlr
and generously. The group of railway
executives who were charged with the
task of actual coordination and general
direction performed their difficult duties
with patriotic zeal and marked ability. as
was TO have been expected and did, be-
ileve, everything that It was possible for
'he'! TO DO III the circumstances. II 7
nave taken the task out of their hands u
mas not been lecause of any dereliction or
failure on their part, but only because
there were some things which the gov
ernment can do and private n1anagemant
cannot We shall continue TO value mos.
highly the advice and assistance of these
gentlemen ana | am sure we shall NOT
find them Withholding il.
IL had hccom" &nlnistakablv pIain
; that ONLY under government admin
! lstratlon can the entire e1Ilipnent of
, the several systems of Jransnortarior
/ he July and unrcserVediy thrown into
j n common service without iniurious
discrimination against particular prop-
: ertiHS. Only under government ad-
mlnistraticn can absolutely unresrrlc,-
ed and unembarrassed common use
/ be iado of all tracks terminals. Ter
minal facilities and equipment of ev-
cry Kind. Only under that authority
can new terminals be constructed and
! developed without regard to the re-
| quirements or limitations OF particular
roads. But under government. ADMIN
istration all these things will be pos
sible-not instantly. but as fast as
practical difficulties. which cannot be
mere conjured away. give way before
the new management.
! Serving Public Interest
The common administration will he
carried out with as little disturbance
of the present operating organizations
and personnel of the railways as pos
| sihle. Nothing will be altered or dis
turbed which it is not necessary to
disturb. We are serving the puoIc In
terest and safeguarding the public
safety. but we are also regardful of
! the interest OF those by whom these
great properties are owned and are
| glad to avail ourselves of the expert
ence and trained ability OF those who
have been managing them. 1t is nee
essurv that the transportation Of
troops and OF wat materials OF food
and of fuel. and of everything that is