The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1919-12-25

Last My in ms message 70 cor-
crres. fhc president announced that
hc e1ilvogi4 wou5d he handed over
tu ther ov ncrs al the end OF this
raIoHdsr Nt1r- II Is new necessary to
act by Issuing tho proclamation. In
the present cirC instances, no agree
mont having yct been reached BIZ the
two BONUSES OF tho congress i'll respect
Ia legislation on tho subject, 1t be-
oofias necessary in the public interest
IT, allow reasonable time to elapse
hctVs en thc issuing of the proclanna-
iion ANA the date of its actually taxi
iU@ effect.
THE president is advised that the
railroad ana express companies arr
rot organized to make 1t possible for
them To receive and mannge their
properties il actually turned over tn
them on December 81, and II this
we're done il would raise financial and
lyeal complications Of serious
character.
The railroad and express conf
panic. should be given ample OPP
p0rtunitY to adequately prepare for
The resumption OF their business I'M
der the control and mana cement OF
their own stockholders, directors and
officers Therefore, the transfer OF
possession back to the railroad COM
parj~s Will become effective at te:8t
4. M. March FIRST, 1920
OFFICERS ARE NOTIFIED
Following The ISSUANCE of the proc-.
lamaUcn Walker n. Hines. director
general Of railroads. sent q message
10 all officers ana employees of rail-
roads In federal control. through the
regional directors, announcing the re-
turn OF The roads,
'"FhN pFocia nation which tho pre<f-
"fxs> March first as the date for
transfer of th,. railroads. | appeal to
every officer and every employee TO
redoubie his efforts TO produce the
best and most economical railroad
service possible during the remaining
period, of federal control. During
the unusually heavy business OF the
past few months aud the extraordi
nary difficulties created by the coal
STRIKE the officers and employees have
done especially fine work. so that with
niore confidence than ever before
express the hope that all OF US viii
give the very best account of our
selves in this remaining period in cur
common interest and in the public in
tcreSt extend to all of my CONF
rades in the railroad service ard
their families my sincere wishes for
merry Christmas and a happy New
Year"
HEADS OFF STOCK DEANS
The procla nations were issued
from the White House AT nine o'clock.
Their issuance on Christmas Eve -
explained by the desire OF the govern
ucut 10 have the news disscminat4A
in good time before the opening ~
the stock market Friday 80 that
otherwise undue effects would ~
avoided.
Tho procIamatious arc in the usuc1
legal form signed by the president
and attested by Robert Lansing, Sec
rotary of state. aud Newton d. Baker,
secretary of war, References IL made
to section - of the federal control
act OF March 81 1918 for the author
tty undor which the president ac$a.
The railroad proclamation directs the
director OF railroads TO adjust. SET
tls. and close all matters relative -
the return OF the railroads ana thA
American railway express com pAny
on the date announced.
The railroads were taken over ~
the government on January |, 1918, in
accordance with an order issued b.
the president late in December pre-
ceding. For five months railroad
corporation officials were used for the
operation OF the railroads and sheA
federal managers were appointed.
The deficit for the first year 0f
operation under government control
was S2as.1o0 nn0 The deficit for rho
current year is estimated at approx
mntely $3.50. 900. 600. Tha annual reA~
tai paid by the government 10 th0
railroad owners is about 5000, 00t. 00e.
Since july government operation has
resulted in n monthly surplus In
stead Of loss.
ACCOMMODATIONS az ssoa opA ApO -
1919 were male by congress for thA
administration and operation Of the
railroads. XII
Two railroad bills are now - 0ea
hands Of joint conferences Anuo
tee in congress. The ART = - c.
rmitAs sAiii ~.Aich bAs sDaa1A1L~ <1bo@1