The Meridian times. (Meridian, Idaho) 1909-1938, 1918-01-11
PROTECT BUSINESS
DECLARES WILSON
PRESIDENT APPEALS FOR RE-
LIEF AND ELIMINATION OF
FINANCIAL UNCERTAINTY.
Explains Why Government Took Pos
session and Assumed Control Of
Railway Lines and Systems of
Water Transportation.

Washington.-Wi With wide appeal for
immediate action in the face Of de-
mands for nationwide relief and elm
nation of financial uncertainty, Presi-
dent Wilson at - 30 on Friday, Janu-
airy 4, outlined before congress his
railroad legislative program,
The president arrived at the capitol
shortly before II 80, and was escorted
to the speakers rostrum of the house
chamber.
The presidents address follows:
Gentlemen of the Congress: have
asked the privilege of addressing you
in order to report to you that on the
twenty-eighth of December last, dur
ing the recess of the congress, acting
through the secretary of war and I'M
der the authority conferred upon me
by the act of congress approved Au-
gust 20, 1916, l took possession and
| assumed control of the railway lines
of the country and the systems of
/ water transportation under their con-
troll. This step seemed to be impera-
lively 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 own experience develops
| difficulties and makes it clear what
| they are, | have deemed it my duty to
remove those difficulties wherever I
have the legal power to do so. To as
! sumo control of the vast railway sys-
| TENS of the country is, | realize, a very
great responsibility, but to fail to do
| so in the existing circumstances would
have been much greater. assumed
the less responsibility rather than the
| weightier | am sure that | am speak
| ing the mind of all thoughtful Ameri-
cans 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 mobilization 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 single and unified direction,
the whole process of the nations ac-
ton is embarrassed.
halfway E1GGnS FIdtSCds
1T was in the true spirit of Amer.
lea and it was right that we should
first try to effect the necessary unitica-
tion under the voluntary action of
those who We're in charge of the great
railway properties and we did try it.
The directors of the railways respond
ed to the need promptly and gener-
| INf
tives who were charged with the task
of actual coordination and general df-
rection performed their difficult du-
ties 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
circumstances. If l have taken the
task out of their hands it has not been
because of any dereltction or failure
on their part, but only because there
We're some things which the govern
ment can do and private management
cannot. We shall continue to value
most highly the advice and assistance
of these gentlemen, and l am sure we
shall not find them Withholding it.
Little Disturbance in Operation.
1T had become Enthusiastically plain
that only under government admin,
istration can the entire equipment OF
the several systems of transportation
be fully and unreservedly thrown into
common service without injurious
discrimination against particular prop,
critics. Only under government admin.
| fs-4v, Ia
and unembarrassed common use be
made of all tracks, terminals, terminal
facilities and equipment Of every kind
Only under that authority can new
terminals be constructed and devel
oped without regard to the require
ments or limitations of particular
roads. But under government admin
istration all these things win be pos
sible-n0t instantly, but us fast as
practical difficulties, which cannot be
merely conjured away, give way be
fore the new management.
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 dis
turb. We are serving the public in
terest and safeguarding the public
safety but we are also regardful Of
the interest of those by whom these
great properties are owned, and glat
to avail ourselves of the experience
and trained ability of those who have
been managing them.
1t is necessary that the transporta
tion of troops and of war materials. Of
food and Of fuel amid of everything