Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1918-01-05

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 der their control. This step seemed 10 De imperatively nee ;mry ill the interest of the public welfare, in the presence of the great tasks of var with which we arc now deaiing. hs our experience develops difficulties. and make it my duty to remove those difficulties wherever | have the le- gal power to do so. To ass,mGa con tIol of the vast railway sy5teins of he country is, realize. a very heavy responsibility, but to fail to do so in the existing circumstances would nave been much greater. I assum- ed the less responsibility rather than the Wcl&ter. l am sure that I am speaking the mind of thouSltfu Am eflcans when say that it is our duty as the representatives of the nation to do everything that it is necessary to do to secure the complete mobi- llzation of the whole resources of America by as rapid and effective means as can be found. Transpor- tation supplies all the arteries of single and unified direction, tho
 
 Is embarrassed.
 Central Control Needed.
 It was in the true spirit of America and il was right. that we should first try to effect the necessary unification under the voluntary action of those who were ill charge of the great rail way properties: and we did try It. The directors of the railways respon dcd to the need promptly and sener ously. The group of railway eXecu- tivcs who were charged vita the task of actual coordination and general di- rcction performed their difficult du ties with patriotic zeal and marked ability. as was to have been expected, and did l believe everything that it was possible for them to do in the circumstances. If I have taken the task out of their hands, il has not been because of any derelictiOn or failure on their part but only because there were some things which the government can do and present man agcment cannot. We shall continue 10 value most highly the advice and assistance of these gentlemen and l am sure we shall not find them with 1 ably plain that only under govern ment administration can the entire equipment of the several systems or transportation be fully anl unreserv- edly thrown into a common service without injurious discrimna ton against particular properties. Only under government administra ton can an absolutely and unembar- rassed common use be made of all tracks. terminals, terminal facilities and equipment of every kind. On ly under that authority can new ter minals be constructed and developed without regard to tho requirements or limitations of particular roads. But under government administration all thcsc things will be possblo--not in l Stantly but as fast as practical diff | cultins, which cannot be merely con- | i,ircd away, give way before the new | management.
 Few Changes.
 The common administration will be carried out with as little disturbance of the present operating organiza- tions and personnel of the railway as possible. Nothing will he altered 1 or ulSIuTDGu WHICH 10 IOl HcCtSSdlN lo disturb. We gre serving the public interest and safeguarding the public l safety, but we also are regardful of the interest of those by whom these great properties arc owned and glad 10 avail ourselves of the experience and trained ability of those who have been managing them. It is necessary that tho transportation of troops and materials. of food and fuel, and ui cyerythins that is necessary for the full mobilization of the energies and resources of the country should be first considered. but it is clearly in tle public interest also that the or dinalv activities and the normal in dustrial and commercial lite of the country should be interferred with and dislocated as little as possible and the public may rest assured that inc interest and convenience of the private shipper will be as carefully served and safcguarded is it possible to serve and safeguard if in the pres ent extraordinary circumstances.
 Guarantee C0mpensation.
 While thc present authority of the eyeLutive sufficed for all purposes of administration. and while. Of course
 all private interests must for tho nlesent give way 10 the particular necessity. it is. I am sure you will agree with me, right and necessary lhat fife owuers and creditors of tho