New-York tribune., 1918-01-06
t Happened to the Railroads During the Civil Wa

lem. Then, just as now, the gov
ernment was concerned with the
necessity of keeping unbroken. lines of
communication for the transportation of
troops and supplies. Perhaps during the
years from 1861 to 1866 more important
railroad legislation was enacted and more
government policies toward railroad con-
fined than in any other four years of
Americas history.
OF very great Importance was the act of
1862 empowering the President, when
ever in his judgment public safety re-
quired it, to seize railways and telegraph
lines in the United States, their Offices,
agents and employees so that they should
be considered part Of the military forces
OF the United States subject to all the re-
strictions imposed by the rules and arti-
cles of war" This is the very law under
whose precedent President Wilson seized
the railroads last week.
Senator Wade, the father of the BILL de-
clared in Congress, January %, 1862, when
the measure was under debate, that it els
really more radical in its terms than it
will ever be in operation" His colleagues
would not accept the bill unless an anti
government ownership clause was inserted
1t was declared that cit is never good pol
icy for the government to enter upon a
system of Internal improvements, however
vital to the functions Of government, if the
ends of government can be subserved by q
judicial Intervention of private enter
prise"
1t was also provided that "three COM
mlssioners, appointed by and with the con-
sent of the Senate, are to determine dam
ages and compensation due to any COM
pany as q result of the operation Of this
act" The decision of the commissioners
IS tlnal under the act.
Before giving extracts from debates in
congress when the bill was under consid-
Grafton, it is we'll to note other questions
OF interest to-day which came before the
legislative bodies at Washington then re-
iatlng to railroads. For instance: The
opinion of the Secretary Of War in 1861
mat under the Gree from any tolls"
cause IN railroad charters, especially land
grant roads, that government troops and
supplies should bc transported free of
enarge. House Bill No. 60, introduced in
1863, authorizing the United States gov
ernment to build and operate a military
ana postal railroad from New York to
Washington. 1t died IN committee. Gov
eminent land grants to the Pacific rail-
roads. More than 70 per cent of the total
VI l5o,504, ,997 acres was given by Con-
sress IN the years between 1862 and 1866.
uosernment taxation Of the railroads for
"ie irst time to raise war taxes. The gov
''nment's seizing of rolling stock and ter
,u'nals of the Camden & Amboy Railroad
" facilitate the transportation Of troops
ana munitions of war.
Inc revenue act of 1862 provided that
VIC owners of steamboats, and railroads
S"ou'o pay duty Of 3 per cent on gross
'e'e'pts and tax on interest and deferred
payments. The revenue bill of 1864
~''ehced the former act requiring the rail
.'"oS and steamboat lines to paw S per
.s'' on all profits and 2As per cent on total
s'oss receipts. The public paid an in
s"seo price on tickets and freight.
Incoln Was in Favor of
- Definite Action
". ''''olh agreed with the Secretary of
il o.; '''~I the government had the power
6.s we the railroads, but he wished a bill
III. ,b;;."'eiy passed by Congress. He urged
>" because the Baltimore & Ohio bad va
bg,. Vie government the Use of its lines.
'seS on the Wilmington 4 Baltimore