The Hays free press. [volume] (Hays, Kan.) 1908-1924, 1918-01-05

government; and to bring the conflict to
successful termination all the re-
sources of the country are hereby
pledged by the Congress OF the United
States.
1 of the act approved August %. 1916,
entitled AN act making appropriations
a wee Year e9dng OF june So ys19 and for
other purposes as follows:
powered. through the Secretary of War,
to take possession and assume control
Of any system or systems of transport
ton or any part thereof, and to utilize
the same, to the exclusion as far may
be necessary of all other traffic thereon,
troops, war material and equipment, or
for such other purposes connected with
sirabie
And whereas, it 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
be necessary of other than war traffic
thereon, for the transportation of troops,
war material and equipment therefor,
the war;
President of the United States. under
and by virtue of the powers vested in
ute, ana by virtue OF all other powers
thereto me enabling, do hereby, through
Newton D. Baker. Secretary of War,
take possession and assume control at
II o'clock noon on the 18th day of De-
cenber, 1917, of each and every system
of transporta ton 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 tranSporta ton, engaged
IN general transportation, whether Oper-
ated by steam or electric power, incIud-
ing also terminals, terminal companies
and terminal associations. sleeping and
lines, elevators, warehouses telegraph
and telephone lines. and all other equip
ment and appurtenances commonly used
upon or operated as a part OF such rail
OF combined rail and water systems of
transportat1on-to the end that such
systems OF tranSporta ton be utilized for
the transfer and transportation of troops
war material and equipment, to the ex-
cluslon so far as may be necessary of all
other traffic there on and that so far
as such exclusive use be not necessary
or desirable, such systems of transporta-
ton be operated and utilized in the per-
Iormance OF such other services as the
IidltohaI ihterest 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 he
shall determine. through the boards of
directors, receivers, officers and en-
ployes of said systems of transportation.
Until and except SO far as said director
shall from time to time by general or
special orders otherwise provide the
and employees of the various transporta-
ton 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-
| To tat nd
orders Of the Interstate Commerce Com
mission and to all statutes and orders
states in which said systems or any part
thereof may be situated. But any or
ders, general or special, hereafter made
by said director. shall have paramount
authority and be obeyed as such
Nothing herein shall be. construed as
now AFFECTING the possession, operation
and control of street electric passenger
railways, including railways commonly
called 1nterurbanS, whether such rail-
ways be or be not owned or controlled
by such railroad companies or systems.
By subsequent order and proclama ton
If and when it shall be found necessary
! or desirable, possession control or oper-
alton may be taken of all or anv mart of
such street railway systems, including
subways and tunnels. and by subsequent
| order and proclamation. possession. con-
may also be .reIinquished to the owners
thereof OF any part of the railroad sys-
! TENS or rail and water systems, posses
assumed
| Inc director SnalI as soon be
after having assumed such possession
! and control enter upon negotiations with
| the several companies. looking to agree
ments for Just and reasonable compensa-
| ton for the possession, use and control
Of their respective properties on the
basis OF an annual guaranteed compen-
sat1on, 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 3-year period ending
| tons to be reported SIIoh an-
ton as may be appropriate and lawful
But nothing. herein contained, ex-
suffered hereunder, shall be deemed in
| any way to impair the rights of the
| other persons having interests in said
systems of transportation or in the pro-
cltS IneTeoL, TO receive just and adequate
assumed.
Regular dividends hitherto declared.
and maturing interest upon bonds, de-
/ bentures and other obligations may be
pald IN due course; and such regular
/ be paid until and unless the said direc-
! tor shall from time to time otherwise by
| subject to the approval of the director
the various carriers may agree upon and
/ OF ma turing obligations.
| Except with the prior written assent
process or on execution shall be levied
on or against any of the property used
| Dy 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
! judgments rendered as hitherto until
and except so far said director may
| by general or special orders otherwise
determine.
From and after II O'Clock on said
! twenty-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
/ Their act or notice. But for the purpose
/ of accounting said possession and con-
! troll shall date from II o'clock midnight,
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 D. Baker, Secretary of War, in the
District of Columbia, this twenty-sixth
day of December in the year Of Our Lord
| one thousand nine hundred and seven
teen, and of independence Of the United
States the one hundred and forty-second.
WOODROW WILSON.
Newton D. Baker, Secy of War.
| by the President. Robt. Lansing. Sec'y
| of State
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The peanut produces not only food