The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1918-01-04
INTRODUCE BILL

CONTINUED from Page one.l
| amount reckoned at a rate per cent to
/ be fixed by the president, upon the
| cost of any additions and improve
ments made while, under federal con-
troll by the carrier from it's own cap
| ital or surplus and by an amount
equal to the rate accruing to the gov
| eminent upon any advance made to
the road for cost of additions and i'm
| Prohibits Excess Dividends.
| Section prohibits any carrier,
while under federal control without
| the presidents prior approval, from
| declaring or paying any dividends in
excess OF its regular rate during the
| three years ending June go, 1917. This
section stipulates, however, that the
railroads that have paid no regular
dividends or no dividends during that
/ period may, with the presidents
prior approval, pay dividends at what
ever rate the president may deter
mine.
Section 6 appropriates 100000, 900
which, together with any funds avail
able from any excess earnings of the
railroads may be used by the preSi-
dent ''as a revolving fund.- to pay ex-
| penses of the federal control on any
deficit of railroad below the stand
ard return and to provide terminals,
improvement engines, rolling stock
!
| terminal improvements and equip
ment are to be used and accounted
| for as the president may direct and to
| be disposed of as congress may here
| after provide The president may also,
according to section seven order any
| road to make any additions and i'm
| provements. He may from this re-
volving fund advance to the road all
, or any part of the expense of the ad-
| ditions and improvements so ordered
ay,d CT tod hxyt O
government. These advances are to
be charged against the road and to
| bear interest at such rate and be
payable on such terms as the preS1-
| dent may determine that the Unit
ed States may be fully reimbursed for
| any sums advanced.
! Can Make Good Any Loss.
| Any loss claim to accrue to any
| road by reason of any of these addi-
tons or Improvements may be deter
mined by an agreement between the
president and the road. railing this
| agreement the amount of the loss will
be ascertained under the terms pro-
vided in section three.
| From the revolving fund the presi-
| dent may expend whatever amount he
| may deem necessary or desirable for
| purchase, construction or utilization
and operations of boats, barges, tugs
and other transportati ton facilities on
the inland and coast-wise waterways
/
and use of these facilities, create or
employ such agencies and enter into
| such contracts and agreements as he
shall deem to be in the public interest
|" To provide funds, for maturing
| obligation or for other legal and
proper expenditures or for re-organiz-
| ing railroads in receivership, carriers
| may, during the federal control period
trust certificates, stocks and other
| forms of securities secured or unse-
cured by mortgage, as the president
! may approve as consistent with the
public interest.
| U. S. to Purchase Securities
| The same section authorizes the
president to purchase for the United
| States all or any part of these secur1-
| ties at prices not exceeding par and
/ to sell these securities whenever in his
judgment it is desirable at prices not
| less than their cost. Any sums avail
| able from the revolving fund which is
published in section six may be used
| for such purpose.
Section s provides that, the presi-
dent may execute any of the powers
granted him thru whatever agencies
| he may determine and may fix rea-
sonable com pensation for service
As to Labor Compensation.
Section would authorize the presi
! dent to extend the federal workm en-
| compensation law to apply to railroad
employees on such terms and condi-
lions as will give due consideration
to remedies available under state
| compensa ton laws or otherwise
| Section 10 gives the president in
addition to powers specifically pre-
scribed, any other and further pow
| ers necessary.
Section II provides that while I'M
der federal control, the roads are sub
iect to all laws and liabilities as COM
r-,-Sn no
| brought by and against them and
judgments rendered, as provided by
| law. Except, with the presidents
written assent, however, no attach
| ment or execution is to be made on
any property used by the ROAD in per-
| Torrance of it's common carrier du-
ties
Anti-Strike Provision.
Section IL stipulates that any person
or corporation acting for or employed
l>by a carrier or shipper or any other
person, who shall fail to observe any
of the provisions of the proposed law
or shall knowingly interfere with or
impede possession, use. operation or
control of any railroad or transporta-
ton system taken over by the preSi-
dent" or shall violate any order or
regulation for carrying out the law,
shall be guilty of a miSdemeanor and
punishable by a maximum fine of
5000, or, if a person. by imprison-
ment for not more than two years or
both
| Federal as well as state criminal
! statutes where applicable shall apply
to all railroc Officers, agents and em-
ployes. Prosecutions will be in fed
eral district courts.
No Limit Set by Law.
Section 10, the last, provides for the
indefinite continuance Of the law. 1t
makes this brief general provision:
THE federal control of transporta-
ton systems herein and heretofore
provided for shall continue for and
during the period of the war and, un-
, til congress shall thereafter order 9TH