Daily Kennebec journal., 1919-12-25
PRESIDENTS STATEMENT

- - ~ ~ - - 4@uA214N l.
The decision of the President with
regard 70 the railroad properties was
set forth in the foreign prociama-
ton:
BY the President of the United
States OF America;
a proclamation:
REIMBURSEMENT OF federal control
OF railroads anu systems Of trans
portation.
Whereas. in the exercise of au
thority committed to me by law L
have heretofore. through the secre-
tary OF war. taken possession Of. and
have. through the director general OF
railroads, exercised control over Ger
tain railroads systems OF transpor
tation and property appurtenant
thereto OF connected herewith: in
Guiding systems of coastwise and in
rernational transportation. engaged
in general transportation and owned
or controlled by said railroads or sss-
TENS of transportation; including
also terminals, terminal companies
and terminal associations. sleeping
and parior cars. private cars anu pr
vate car lines. elevators. warehouses.
telegraph and telephone lines. ana all
other equipment and appurtenancles
commonly used upon or operated as
a part of such railroads ana systems
of transportation: and
Whereas, / now deem II needfui
and desirable that all railroads. sys-
TENS of transportation and property
now under such federal control. be
reiinquished therefrom: now, there
fore. under authority of section IA
OF the federal control act approved
March y. 1918. and OF all other pow
ers and provisions OF law thereto me
enabling. /. Woodrow Wilson Presi-
dent of the United states. do hereby
relinquish from federal control. ef-
fective the first Gay OF March l9Zv.
al l2.0l O'Clock 4. N. all railroads.
systems OF transportation and prop
er-y. OF whatever kInd taken or held
under such federal control and no!
heretofore relinquished- and restore
rfe same 20 the possession ana con-
Walker D Hines director general
OF railroads. or his successor III ONCE
is hereby authorized and d1recteo.
through such agent ana agencies as
ne may deem. IN any manner not IN
consistent with the provisions OF sai"
act Of March =. 1918. 20 adjust. SCI
tie. anu TO close all matters. Inc!uu-
ing the making of agreement los
compensation. and all questions ana
disputes of whatsoever nature aris-
ing out Of or incident 10 federal
control. until otherwise provided oy
proclamation Of the President or bv
act Of Congress: and generally 10 q"
and perform as fully IN all respects
as the President IS authorized 10 40.
all anu singular the acts and things
necessary or proper in order TO carry
into effect this proclamation and me
REIMBURSEMENT of said railroads.
systems Of transportation and prop
erty
For the purposes of accounting
and for all other purposes. this
proclamation shall become effective
on the first day of March. 1870. al
12ol a VI.
Tn Witness whereof. I have here
unto set MY hand and caused the
seal of the United States 20 be
affixed.
Done by the President. through
Newton D. Baker. Secretary OF War,
in the District of Columbia. tins 18th
day Of December. in the year Of our
LORD one thousand nine hundred and
nineteen. and Of the independence of
the United States of America the one
hundred and forty fourth.
fSigned)
WOODROW WILSON.
"Ev the President:
ROBERT LANSING. Secretary o:
State.
NEWTON D. BAKER. Secretary of
War