The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1918-01-04
Dividends To Be Average OF 3
Years Ending June 30, 1917.
Must Maintain Roads in as
Good Repair as When Taken.
DOES NOT DISCUSS WAGES
Asks Congress Ungrudglngly
To Pass Required Bills.
To Disturb Present Organiza-
ton as Little as Possible.

Washington. JAN 4.-Presioent
Wilson today called upon congress to
give him full and unrestricted powers
to conduct the federal operation OF
the country's railroads.
Before a joint session of the senate
and house. the president outlined the
initial steps necessary to success of Di-
rector General McAdoo's administra7
ton of the lines.
He explained that the action already
taken was necessary, to secure the
complete mobilization of the whole
resources of America by as rapid and
effective means as can be found"
Private interests" he said, must
for the present give way to the public
necessity"
Measures to Protect Travellers.
The president asked: -
Necessary means for protecting the
interests of railroad stockholders.
Measures to protect travellers and
safeguard private shippers.
Compensation for the railroads,
based on the average net railway oper-
ating income of the three years ending
June 80. 1917.
He added that ''it is probably too
much to expect that, even under the
unified railway administration. suffi-
cient economies can be effected to
make it possible to add to their equip
ment and extend their operative facil-
tiles as much as the present eXtraor-
dinary demands will render desira BILE
without resOrting to the national treas
ury for funds" but he asked no appro-
priatiOn, stating that Director General
McAdoo will advise with the proper
committees later on this point.
Only Fifteen Minute Message.
1t was a plain, business message,
taking but fifteen minutes to deliver
and was received quietly by the legis-
lators.
The president obviously sought to
quiet any possible unrest which might
result from the sweeping action of the
government.
1T is of the utmost consequence to
the government itself" he said. that
all great financial operations be sta
bilized and co-ordinated with the
financial operations of the govern
ment.
NO borrowing" he added. should
run athwart the borrowings of the
federal treasury and no fundamental
Industrial statutes should anywhere be
unnecessarily impaired"
Ten or eleven billions of dollars in
vested for securities by many thou
sands of small investors, as well as
financial institutions of all kinds.
constitute a vital part of the struc-
ture of credit and the unquestioned
solidity of that structure must he
maintained" he declared.
Bill Immediately Introduced.
Immediately the president conclud-
ed, Representative Simms. chairman
of the house interstate commerce com
mittee, introduced a bill carving rut
the presidents recommendations The
committee will take up the bill M3n-
week and VIII press for Immediate ac-
ton by the house
Simms and others of the commerce
and rules committees will confer with
the president tonight relative to
means OF hastening action.
The presidents address to coneress
follows: 0''is / eS'S
Take Up Bills Monday.
Immediately after the senate recon-
vened, Senator Ed Smith. of Sontb
Carolina, ranking member of the in
terstate commerce committee. intro
duced an extra duplicate for the house
bill 1t was referred to the interstate o
commerce committee, which will take
II up Monday, thus providing stimuli
taneous action by house and senate on
the presidents recommendations
Text of Presidents Speech.
Gentlemen of the Congress:
L have asked the privilege of ad-
Ni 19iiiS SOu III oFuer TO report that
on the 2Sth of December last. durine
the recess of congress, acting thru
the secretary of war and under the am
thority conferred upon me by the act
of congress approved August % 1915
took possession and assumed control
of the railway lines of the country and
the systems of water Transportation
under their control. This step Seemed
to be imperatiVely necessary in the in
terest of the public welfare in the
presence of the great tasks of war with
which we are now dealing As our ex-
Continued on Page Two.I