Fulton County tribune. (Wauseon, Ohio) 1883-1925, 1920-01-02
END u. S. Raj.
RULE MARCH |.
Express Lines Are Included in
President Wilson's Proc
lamation.
DELAY MAY PREVENT DISASTER
Gives Corporations Ample Opportunity
to Adequately Prepare for the Re-
sumption of Their Business
Under Owners Control.

Washington, Dec. 25. President
Wilson announced that the railroads
would be returned to private owner
ship March L.
The president also announced that
the railroad 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, the president announced
that the railroads would be handed
over to their owners at the end of this
calendar year. 1t is now necessary to
act by issuing the proclamation.
''In the present circumstances. no
agreement having yet been reached
by the two houses of congress in re-
spect to legislation on the subject, ii
becomes necessary in the public inter
est to allow a reasonable time to
elapse between the issuing of the proc
lamation and the date of its actually
taking effect"
The decision of the president with
regard to the railroad properties was
set forth in the following proclama-
ton:
''By the President of the United
States of America:
"A proclamation:
of railroads and systems of transpor-
tation.
Whereas, in the exercise of author
ity committed to me by law, l have
heretofore. through the secretary of
war, taken possession of, and have,
through the directorsgeneral of rail-
roads, exercised control over certain
railroads, systems of transportation
and property pertinent thereto or
connected Herewith, systems of coast
wise and inland transportation, en-
gagged in general transportation and
owned or controlled by said railroads
or systems of transportation, including
also terminals, terminal companies and
terminal associations, sleeping and
parlor cars, private car lines, eleva
tors, warehouses, telegraph and tele
| phone lines and all other equipment
| and appurtenances commonly used
upon or operated as a part of such
railroads and systems of Transports
ton; and,
"Whereas, / now deem 1t needfu
and desirable that all railroads, sys
tens of transportation and property
now under such federal control, be re
linquished therefrom; now, therefore
under authority of section IA of th'
federal control act, approved Marcl
81, 1918, and of all other powers ant
provisions of law thereto me enabling
I, Woodrow Wilson, president of tn
United States, do hereby relinquisl
from federal control, effective the frs
day of March, 1920, at II :01 o'clock a
M, all railroads, systems of transpor
tation and property of whatever kin,
taken or held under such federal con
troll, and not heretofore relinquished
and restore the same to the possession
and control of their respective own
ers.
"Walker D. Hines, director genera
of railroads, or his successor in Office
is hereby authorized and directed
through such agent and agencies a
he may determine, in any manner NO
inconsistent with the provisions Q
snid act of March 81, 1918, to adjus
settle and close all matters, includin
the making of agreements for comper
sation, and all questions and dispute
of whatsoever nature arising out of Q
incident to federal control, until otf
erwise provided by proclamation c
the president Or by act of congress
and generally to perform as fully
lied to do, all the acts and things ne,
essary or proper in order to carry int
effect this proclamation and the reliI
quishment of said railroads, system
or transportation and property.
For the purpose, of accounting an
for all other purposes, this proclaim;
ton shall become effective on the fir!
day of March, 1920, at IL :O1 a. m.
"In witness whereof I have her
unto set my hand and caused the Sc,
of the United States to be affixed.
Done by the president, throug
Newton D. Baker, secretary of war,
the district of Columbia, this oath da
of December, the year of our Lord or
thousand, nine hundred and ninetee
and of the independence of the Unite
States of America, the one hundre
| and forty fourth.
(Signed)
WOODROW WILSON,"