The Celina Democrat. (Celina, O. [Ohio]) 1895-1921, 1918-01-18
PRESIDENT WILSON
ASKS SQUARE DEAL
FOR THE RAILROADS
Mobilize Railroads and Treat
Them JUSTLY" He Tells
Congress.
Fair Treatment for Owners and Gen.
eral Public to Be Guaranteed
Outlines Of Methods Of Gov
ernment Operation.

CTHHeHt OpeTatlon.
Washington, Jan. 5.-Compensation
TO the railroads taken over by the gov,
ernment, on an average basis secured
from the net railway operating reve.
nue. OF the three years ending July 30
l9lI' was recommended to congress by
President Wilson yesterday.
His address was devoted to telling
OF the reason for taking over the
roads and the necessity Of financing
existing securities.
The president spoke as follows:
"Gentlemen Of the Congress: have
asked the privilege of addressing you
In order to report that on the 2Sth of
December last, during the recess Of
congress, acting through the secretary
OF war and under the authority con-
ferred upon me by the act of congress
approved August 90 1916, took pos
session and assumed control of the
railway lines Of the country and the
systems Of water transportation under
their control. This step seemed to be
lmperatively necessary in the interest
of the public welfare, in the presence
OF the great tasks of war with which
we are now dealing.
"As our experience develops difficult
ties and makes 1t clear what they are,
l have deemed 1t my duty to remove
those difficulties wherever I have the
legal power to do so. To assume con-
troll of the vast railway systems of the
country is, / realize, very heavy re-
sponsibillty, but to fail to do so in the
existing circumstances would have
been much greater. I assumed the
lesser responsibility rather than the
weightler.
Complete Mobilization Needed.
Il am sure that l am speaking the
mind of all thoughtful Americans when
say that 1t is our duty as the repre-
sentatives Of the nation to do every
thing that 1t is necessary to do to Sc
cure the complete mobilization of the
whole resources of America by as rap
Id and effective means as can be
found. Transportation supplies all the
arteries of mobilization. Unless it be
under single and unified direction
the whole process of the nations ac-
ton Is embarrassed.
ut was in the true spirit of America
and it was right, that we should first
try to effect the necessary unification
under the voluntary action of those
who were in charge of the great rail-
way properties; and we did try it. The
directors Of the railways responded to
the need promptly and generously.
Praises Railway Executives.
THE group of railway executives
who were charged with the task of
actual coordination and general direc-
ticL with patriotic zeal and marked
ability, as was to have been expected,
and did. believe, everything that it
was possible for them to do in the cir
cumstances. If 1 have taken the task
out of their hands it has not been be-
cause Of any dereliction or failure on
their part, but only because there were
some things which the government can
do and present management cannot. |
We shall continue n value most highly |
the advice and assistance of these gen.
tlemen, and am sure we shall not find |
them Withholding it.
Government Control Needed.
ut had become Enthusiastically plain
that only under government admins
tration can the entire equipment Of
the several systems of transportation
be fully and uIdreservedly thrown into
4 common service without iniuri-
Ous discrimination against particular
Only under government
can an absolutely un-
restricted and unembarrassed common
Use be made of all tracks, terminals.
criminal facilities and equipment of
every kind. Only under that authority
,an new terminals be constructed and
developed without regard to the re-
iuirements or limitations of particular
'oads. But under government admin
stratiOn all these things will be DOS
ible-not instantly, but as fast as
PRACTICAL difficulties which cannot be
hClCiJ (OhJhASA away SlNC way DclOEt |
he new management.
Little disturbance as Possible
"The common administration will be
arried out with as little disturbance {
f the present operating organizations
nd personnel of the railways as pos t
ible. Nothing will be altered or dis {
urbed which it is not necessary to dis !
urb. We are serving the public inter- I
st and safeguarding the public safety, G
ut we are also regardful of the inter- I
st Of those by whom these great prop t
rites are owned and glad to avail our
elves of the experience and trained
bility of those who have been man r
ging them. 1t is necessary that the q
0E GENERAL INTEPEcT