Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1918-01-10
THE PRESIDENTS STATEMENT
a 6reat National Necessity Dictated the Action. Was Not
at Liberty to Abstain From It."
ex WlI SOM

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have exercised the powers rel the transportation systerns Of the
country which were granted me by the act Of congress Of August. 1916.
war OF resources no lees than Of men. perhaps even more than q men.
and 4 !. necessary 10. the complete mobilization Of NJ resources that
Inc transportation system d the country should be organized and en-.
pieyed under . single authority and 4 simpMned method Of coordination
""'e TIM ~ se, !; proved pS:.oas undo. priv.s: management and eentreL
with the government in this al important matter have done the utmost
that II was possiba. for them to do; have done Il with patriotic zeal and
with great ability; but there were diAHeI,ies that they eouis neither
escape nor neu'ahxs. Complete unity Of administration In the present
circumstances involves upon occasion and at many points q serious disle.
cation Of earnings and the committee wal, Of eourse, without power or
authority to rearanss charges " effect proper eompensatons and adjust
msnss Of eanInsa
Several roads which were willingly and With admirable public spi-it
accepting the orders Of the committee have already suffered from these
circumstances and should not be required to suffer further. In mere
fairness to them the full authority Of the government must be substituted.
IN the conduct OF the war and Of the innumsrabLe activities upon which
IT, successful conduct dspsnds
interests Of the government and the financial interests Of the railroads
must be brought under a common direction. The financial operations Of
mont and they themselves can be conducted at a greater advantage.
investors In railway securities may rest assured that their rights and
could be BY the directors 81 the several railway systena Immediately
upo" The rs.'sembi"s Of congress shall recommend that shs.. definite
euaransess be given: Frs, Of course. that the railway properties will
be maintained during the period Of federal control In a. good repair and
second, that the road. shall reesv. . ne. operating 81 ioeo Sr,'. .ou.' =, . !
case to the average net income Of the three years preceding June 80.
this case as in other. to see that justice i. done and full security assure. a
to the owners and creditors Of the great systems which the government
must now use under It, own direction or else suffer serious embsrra...
ment.
The secretary Of war and are agreed that, all tn. circumstance.
being taken into consideration, the best results can b. obtained under the
immediate executive direction Of William G. MeAdoo, whose practical
experience peculiarly tits him for the service and whose authority u sec.
rotary Of the treasury will enable him to coordinate as n 10 other mar
could the many financial interests which will be involved and which
might unless systematically directed, suffer very embarrassing entanole.
ments.
The government Of the United States 10 the only great government
now engaged In the war which has not already assumed control, Of +;.
sort. It was thought to be in the spirit Of American institutions to at.
tempt to do anything that was necessary through private MANAGEMENT.
and II zeal and ability and patriotic motive could have accomnIish.d n.
necessary unjHeation Of administration it would certainly have been
accomplished; but no zeal n ability could overcome insuperable obstacles
and have deemed 1t my duty to recognize that fact in ali eandor. now
that 1t is demonstrated, and to Use without reserve the great authority
reposed in me. A great national necessity dictated the action md wa.
therefore not at liberty to abstain from it.