Le MeschaceÌbeÌ. [volume] ([Lucy] La.) 1853-1942, 1918-01-05

| |AAC CAAO LLldI SuCH SISLl1S vi Ii dlSpOI-
tation be utilized for the transfer and
transportation Of troops, war material
and equipment, to the exclusion SO
far as may be necessary Of all other
traffic thereon; and that so far as
such exclusive use may be not neces-
sary or desirable, such systems of
transportation be operated and utilized
in the performance of such other serv-
ices as the national interest may re-
quire and of the usual and ordinary
business and duties Of common car
riers.
''It is hereby directed that the pos
session, control, operation and utiliza-
tion of such transportation systems
| hereby by me undertaken shall be
| exercised by and through William G.
McAdoo, who is hereby appointed and
designated director general of rail-
roads. Said dierctor may perform the
duties imposed upon him, so long and
to such extent as he shall determine,
through the boards of directors, re-
ceivers, officers and employees of said
systems of transportation. Until and
except so far as said director shall
from time to time by general or spe-
cial orders otherwise provide, the
boards of directors, receivers, officers
and employees of the various transpor-
tation systems shall continue the op-
Grafton thereof in the usual and ordi-
nary course of the business of COM
mon carriers, in the names of their re-
spective companies.
Until and except so far as said di-
rector shall from time to time other
wise by general or special orders de-
termine, such systems of transporta-
ton shall remain subject to all exist
ing statutes and orders of the inter
state commerce commission and to all
statutes and orders of regulating COM
missions of the various states in
which said systems or any part there
of may be situated. But any orders,
general or special, hereafter made by
said director shall have paramount au-
thority and be obeyed as such.
Street Railways Not Affected.
Nothing herein shall be construed
as now affecting the possession, op-
Grafton and control of street electric
commonly called interurbans, whether
such railways be or be not owned or
controlled by such railroad companies
or systems. By subsequent order and
proclamation if and when it shall be
found necessary or otherwise desir-
able, possession, control or operation |
may be taken of all or any part of |
such street railway systems, includ-
ing subways and tunnels and by sub |
sequent order and proclamation, pos |
session, control and operation in whole |
or in part may also be relinquished to |
the owners thereof any part of the |
railroad systems or rail and water |
systems, possession and control of |
which are hereby assumed.
'The director shall as soon as may |
be after assuming such possession and |
control enter upon negotiations with
the several companies, looking to
agreements for just anG reasonable |
compensation for the possession, use
and control of their respective proper
ties on the basis of an annual guaran-
teed compensation, above accruing de-
probation and the maintenance of
their properties, equivalent, as nearly
as may be, to the average of the net
operating income thereof for the three
year period ending June 80, 1917-the
results of such negotiations to be re-
ported to me for such action as may
be appropriate and lawful.
"But nothing herein contained, ex-
pressed or implied, or hereafter done
Dr. suffered hereunder shall be deemed
IN any way to impair the rights of the
and other persons having interest in
said systems of transportation or in
he profits thereof. to receive just and
adequate compensation for the use
and control and operation Of their
hereby assumed.
Regular dividends hitherto de-
elared, and maturing interest upon
ponds, debentures and other obliga-
ions, may be paid in due course; and
Iuch regular dividends and interest
nay continue to be paid until and un-
ess the said director shall from time
o time otherwise by general or spe
.ial orders determine; and subject to
he approval of the director the vari
JUS carriers may agree upon and ar
ange for the renewal and extension
4 maturing obligations.
Except with the prior written as
ent of said director no attachment by
nesne process or on execution shall
e levied on or against any of the
property used by any of the said trans
systems in the conduct o
heir business as common carriers;
ut suits may, be brought by and
gainst said carriers and judgments
endered as hitherto until and except
. far as said director may by general
r special orders otherwise determine
Friday Is Date.
From and after IL o'clock on said !
9Th day of December, 1917, all trans :
ortation systems included in this or
er and proclamation shall conclusive
be deemed within the possession q
i'd control OF said director without .