Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1919-12-26
President Issues Proclamation
Giving Control Back to Own
ers-Noticc Allows Adjust.
ment to Old Conditions.
ONLY ONE DEMAND
FOR WAGES PENDING
Director General Hines Issues
Statement to Men, and Sends
Telegram to Heads Of Roads
Following Announcement.

Washington. D. C., Dec. Is
President Wilson announced We'd
nesdsy he would return the railroads
to private ownership March |.
The president also announced that
the railway express companies
would be returned at the same time.
In announcing these two decisions
Of the president. Secretary Tumulty
issued the following statement:
Last May in his message to the
congress Tie president announced
that, the railroads would he handed
over 10 their owners al the end OF
this calendar year. It is now neces-
sary to act by issuing the proclama
ton. in the present circumstances.
no agreement having yet been
reached by the two houses of con-
gress in respect to legislation on the
subject. it becomes necessary in the
public interest to allow reasonable
time to lelapse between the issuing
of the proclamation and the date OF
its actually taking effect
Must Have Delay.
"Thc president is advised that
the railroads and express companies
are not organized to make it posi-
BILE for them to receive and manage
their properties if actually turned
over 10 them on December 81. and
il this were done it would raise s.
nancial and legal complications OF
serious character.
"The railroad and express conl
panics should be given an opporturl.
ity to adequately prepare for tn.
resumption of their business under
the control and management oi
their own stockholders. directors
and officers. Therefore, the transfer
of possession back to the railroad
companies will become effective al
1901 a. M. March l. 1920"
The decision of the president with
regard to the railroad properties
was set forth in the following proc
hmation:
Wilson'S Proclamation.
"By the president OF the United
States of America:
"a proclamation:
REIMBURSEMENT of federal control
of railroads and systems of trans
portation
Whereas, In the exercise of
authority committed to me by law,
/ have, therefore. through the secre
tary Of war, taken possession or
and have, through the general di-
rector OF railroads. exercised con-
troll over certain railroads. systems
OF transportation and property and
all pertaining thereto or connected
Herewith. systems of coastWise and
transportation, engaged in general
transportation and owned or con-
trolled by said railroads or systems
of transportation; including also
terminals, terminal companies and
terminal associations. sleeping and
parlor cars, private cars and private
cars lines. elevators, warehouses, tel
cgraph and telephone lines, and all
other equipment and appurtenances
commonly used upon or operated
as part of such railroads and
systems of transportation: and
Whereas. | now deem it needfui
and desirable that all railroads.
systems of transportation and prop
erty now under such federal con-
troll, be relinquished therefrom; now,
therefore. under authority of section
IA of the federal control act ap-
proved March 81, 1918. and of all
other powers and provisions OF law
thereto enabling me. |. Woodrow
Wilson, president of the United
States. do hereby relinquish from
federal control. effective the first
day of March 1920, at 1901 O'Clock
a. m. all railroads. systems Of trans
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