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


DeTlence
makes it clear what they are, have
deemed it my duty to remove those
difficulties wherever L have the legal
power to do so. To assume control
of the vast railway systems of the
country is, 1 realize, very heavy re-
sponsibility, but to fail to do so in the
. existing circumstances would have
been much greater. 1 assumed the
less responsibility rather than the
weightier. 1 am sure that am speak
ing the mind of all thoughtful Ameri-
cans when l 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 mobilization
I of the whole resources of America by
as rapid and effective means as can
be found. Transportation supplies all
the arteries of mobilization Unless
it be under a single and unified d1rec-
tion the whole process of the nations
action is embarrassed.
Gave Railroads Chance First.
1t 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
The group of railway executives who
were charged with the task of actual
coordination and general direction
performed their difficult duties with
patriotic zeal and marked ability as
was to have been expected, and did,
l believe everything that it was posi-
BILE for them to do in the circum-
stances. If have taken the task out
of their hands it has not been because
of any dereHction or failure on their
part, but only because there were some
things which the government can do
and present management cannot. We
shall continue to value most highly
the advice and assistance of these
gentlemen and am sure We shall not
find them Withholding it. 1t had be-
come Enthusiastically plain that only I'M
der government administration can the
entire equipment of the several sys-
TENS of transportation be fully and
unreservedly thrown into a common
service without injurious discrimina-
ton against particular properties
Only under government administra-
ton can an absolutely and unem-
barrassed common use be made of all
tracks, terminals, terminal facilities
and equipment of every kind Only
under that authority can new term
inals be constructed and developed
without regard to the requirements or
limitations of particular roads. But
under government administration all
these things will be possible-not in
stantly, but as far as practical diff
culties, which cannot be merely con-
jured away, give way before the new
mana cement.
Serve and Safeguard Public.
The common administration will be
carried out with as little disturbance
of the present operating organizations
and personnel of the railways as pos
sible. Nothing will be altered or dis
turbed which it is not necessary to
disturb We are serving the public
interest and safeguarding the public
| fotx- bI1f
the interest of those by whom these
great properties are owned and glad
to avail ourselves of the experience
and trained ability of those who have
been managing them. 1t is necessary
that the transportation of troops and
materials, of food and of fuel, and of
everything that is necessary for the
full mobilization of the energies and
resources of the country should be
first considered, but it is clearly in
the public interest also that the ordi-
nary activities and the normal in
dustrial and commercial life of the
country should be interfered with
and dislocated as little as possible and
the public may rest assured that the
interest and convenience of the private
shipper will be as carefully served and
safeguarded as it is possible to serve
and safeguard it in the present extra
ordinary circumstances.
While the present authority OF the
administration, and while, of course
all private interests must for the pres
ent give way to the particular neceS-
sity, it is, I am sure you will agree
with me, right and necessary that the
owners and creditors of the railways,
the holders of their stocks and bonds
should receive from the government
an unqualified guarantee that their
properties will be maintained turnout
the period of federal control in as
l IA4- TiYN-
ment as at present, and that the sew
eral roads will receive under federal
anagement such compensation as is
equitable and just alike to their own
ers and to the general public.
would suggest the average net rail-
wav operating income of the three
years ending June 80, 1917. I earnest
" recommend that these guarantees
be given by appropriate legislation
and given as promptly as circum-
stances permit.
Financial Argument Convincing.
need not point out the essential
Justice of such guarantees and their
great influence and significance as
elements in the present financial and
| Industrial situation of the country. IN
/ deed one of the strong arguments for
assuming control of the railroads at
this time is the financial argument 1t
| is necessary that the values of railway
securities should be justly and fairly
| paid and that the large financial OPP
| erations every year necessary in con-
nection with the maintenance, opera
ton and development of the roads
should, during the period of the war,
/ be wisely related to the financial OPP
erations of the government. Our first
! duty is of course, to conserve the
! common interest and the common
safety and to make certain that ncrh-
| ing stands in the way of the success
| full prosecution of the great war for
! liberty and justice, but it is an obi
| CATION of public conscience and of
public honor that the private interests
we disturb should be kept safe from
unjust injury, and it is of the utmost
consequence to the government itself
| that. all great financial operations
should be stabilized and co-ordinated
| y,.,tIa the fina ncial 0neratinnS of the