The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1918-01-04
COMPENSATION
FOR RAILROADS
is REQUESTED
BY PRESIDENT
Wilson Asks Congress to Pass
Bills Providing Payment of
Dividends and Full Upkeep
Of Equipment.
EXPLAINS TAKING OVER


Wilson today laid before Congress
assembled in joint session his recon-
mendations for carrying out govern
ment operation of railroads. Bills to
carry out the presidents ideas already
had been prepared under the supervi
sion Of the department of justice and
were imm ediately introduced with
plans for prompt consideration in both
house and senate. 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 Con-
gress approved August 20, 1916. took
possession and assumed control of the
railway lines Of the country and the
systems of water transportation under
their control.
Seemed to Be Necessary
This step seemed to be imperative
ly necessary in the interest of the pub
lie welfare in the presence of the great
task Of war with which we are now
dealing AS our experience develops
difficulties and makes it clear what
they are, have deemed 1t my duty to
remove those difficulties wherever I
have the legal power to do SO. To
assume control Of the vast railway
system of the country is, realize, a
very great responsibility but to fail
to do SO In the existing circumstances
would have been a much greater.
assumed the less responsibility rather
than the weightier.
I am sure that I am speaking the
mind of all thoughtful Americans when
l say that it 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
rapid and effective means as can be
found.
Transportation supplies all the
arteries of mobilization. Unless it be
under q single and unified direction,
the whole process Of the nations ac-
| ton Is embarrassed.
True Spirit Of America.
1T was in the true spirit of Amer
lea, and it was right, that we should
first try to effect the necessary unfit
cation under the voluntary action Of
those who are in charge OF the great
| SS( Idll"6S plOpSI lISos duO VIC Qlu lily
it. The directors of the railways re-
sponded to the need promptly and
generously. The group of railway ex-
ecutives who are charged with the
task of actual coordination and gen
i eral direction performed their difficult
duties with patriotic zeal and marked
ability, as was to have been expected,
and did, / believe, everything that it
| 70 10 ~,
circumstances.
| their hands, it has not been because
| Of any dereliction or failure on their
part, but only because there are some
| things which the government can do
and private management can not. We
shall continue to value most highly
the advice and assistance Of these gem
temen, and lam sure we shall not find
them Withholding it.
1T, had become unmistakably plain
plain that only under government ad-
mfnistration can the entire equipment
of the several systems of transporta-
ton be fully and unreservedly thrown
into a common service without In
furious discrimination against partic-
ular properties. Only under govern
|
unrestricted and unembarrassed com
mon use be made of all tracks, termi-
nails, terminal facilities and equipment
of every kind. Only under that au-
thority can new terminals be con
structed and developed without regard
to the equipment of limitations OF par.
!; ticular roads. But under government
administration all these things will be
possible-not instantly, but as fast as
practical difficulties which can not
be merely conjured away give way be-
, fore the new management
Will Safeguard Owners
J, The common administration will
: be carried out with as little disturb
ance Of the present operating organ
ization and personnel of the railways
{ as possible. Nothing will be altered
; or disturbed which it is not necessary
, to disturb. We are serving the public
t interest and safeguarding the public
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