El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1919-12-25
DATEF0R RAIL
RETURNIS 5ET
President Issues Proclama
ton to Put Roads Under
Old Control.

thereto and connected Herewith sys-
tens Of coastwise transportation. en-
gaged in general transportation and
owned or controlled by said railroads
or systems Of transportation. includ-
ing also terminals terminal compa-
mics and terminal associations. sleep
ing and parlor cars. private cars and
private car lines, elevators, ware
houses. telegraph and telephone
Lines, and all other equipment and
appurteuances commonly used upon
or operated as q part Of such rail-
Sets March rs Date.
Whereas. I now deem &c needful
and desirable that all railroads, sys-
tens Of transportation and property
now under such federal control, be
relinquished therefrOm; now. there
fore. under authority OF section Il Of
the federal control act approved
March q, 1918, and Of all other pow
ers and provisions Of law thereto en-
abling me- I. woodrow Wilson, presl-
dent Of the United States do hereby
fective the first day OF March. 1920,
at 1901 a. m. all railroads. systems
of transportation and property Of
whatever kind taken or held under
such federal control and not thereto
fore relinQuished and restore the
same to the possession and control
OF their respective owners
walker D. Hines, director general
Of railroads. or his successor in Of
flee. Is hereby authorized and di-
rected, through such agent and
agencies as he may determine. in any
manner not inconsistent with the pro-
visions Of said act OF March 81 1918,
TO adjust. settle and close all mat
ters, including the making OF agree
ments for compensation, and all
o
nature arising out Of or incident TO
federal control. until otherwise pro-
vided by proclamation Of the presi-
dent OF by act OF congress and gen
orally and TO perform as fully IN all
respects as the president Is author
lied TO do all and singular the acts
and things necessary or proper IN
order to carry into effect this proc
lamation and the relinqu OF
said railroads. systems Of transporta-
ton and property
fgFor the purpose Of account
ing and for all other purposes
this proclamation shah become
effective on the first day OF
March. 1929, nt 1901 a. m.
In witness whereof. I have here
unto set my hand and caused the
seal OF the United States 70 be az
Done by the president through
Newton D. Baker, secretary OF war,
in the District Of Columbia, this 24th
day Of December. the year OF our
Lord 1919. and Of the Independence
OF the United states Of America. the
woodrow Wilson.
BY the president:
Robert Lansing, secretary OF state
Newton ID. Baker. secretary Of
var Co..
HHM H
dial legislation was given as the rea-
son for extending by two months the
time originally announced 1or relln-
gushing government control OF the
railroad properties
The EEch-Cummins bill, designed
to meet conditions incident 20 the
return Of the roads now IS IN con-
ference, with the prospect that an
agreement on differences between the
house and senate viii be threshed out
before March l.
There are Indications OF a. lively
fight before either house adopts the
others position on anti-striEa clauses
of the bin or the question OF con-
tiruinE the government guarantee 90
the roads untl they can obtain in
creased rates TO meet advanced op-
Grating costs
Also II was said ln congress
sionnI quarters that, because OF
the presidents decision, no at
tempt would be made to rush
through the necessary IegfsIa-
fiol.
Inasmuch as the staffs OF the va
rious systems nave been retained
virtually intact BY the railroad ad-
the return Of the rail-
roads TO private control VIII involve
legal and financial rather than op-
Grating questions
VIII Be Kept Intact.
These departments OF the railroad
administration will remain In exist
ence with Increased personnels fer
months after the operating officers
have left the government service.
Even bigger problems confront
the express companies. COmHoli-
dated into one system under gov
eminent operation- the four orig
fnnl corporations are reported to
have asked the department OF
Justice n there would be any Vlo-
lufiou Of the sherrnau umti-fruEt
law IN their remaining n unit.
In two years Of physical possession
OF the railroads the government has
encountered a deficit % approx
mately S6f5. 100000. according to es-
Inmates nwNHn tiled IN senator Cum