Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1920-01-02
u. s. To TURN BACK
RAILROADS MARCH |
Presidents Proclamation Also In
cIudes the Express Lines.
SAYS DELAY IS NECESSARY
Two Months Given Corporations to
Adequately Prepare for the Re-
sumption of Their Business on
a Prewar Basis.

Washington, Dec. 25.-President
Wilson announced that the railroads
would be returned to private owner
ship March /.
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 It is now necessary to
act by issuing the proclamation.
I'm the present circumstances, no
agreement having yet been reached
by the two houses of congress in re-
spect to legislation on the subject, it
becomes necessary in the public inter-
est to allow a reasonable tine to
elapse between the issuing of the proc
lamation and the date of it's actually
taking effect.
'9The president is advised that the
railroads and express companies are
not organized to make it possible for
them to receive and manage their
properties if actually turned over to
them on December 81, and if this were
done it would raise financial and
legal complications of serious char
acter.
Start at Midnight.
sThe railroad and express companies
should be given ample opportunity to
adequately prepare for the resumption
Of their business under the control and
management of their own stOckhold-
ers. directors and officers. Therefore,
the transfer of possession back to the
railroad companies will become effec-
tive at IL :O1 a. M, March |, 1920"
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:
REIMBURSEMENT of federal control
of railroads and systems of transpor-
tatiOn.
"Whereas, in the exercise of author
ity committed to me by law, | have
heretofore through the secretary or
war, taken possession of, and have.
through the director general of rail-
roads. exercised control over certain
railroads, systems of transportation
and property and 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
uarlor cars, private car lines. eleva-
TORS. warehouses, telegraph and tele-
phone lines and all other equipment
and appurtenances commonly used
ipon or operated as part of such
railroads and systems of transporta-
ton; and.
Relinuuishes Control.
"Whereas, / now deem it needful
and desirable that all railroads, sys-
TENS Of transportation and property
now under such federal control, be re-
linuuished therefr0m now, therefore,
nnder authority Of section ii of the
federal control act, approved March
81. 1913. and Of all otheY powers and
provisions Of law thereto me enabling,
r 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 transpor-
tation and property of whatever kind
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 general
Of railroads, or his successor in office,
is hereby authorized and directed,
through such agent and agencies as
he may determine, in any manner not
inconsistent with the provisions of
said act of March 81. 1915, to adjust,
settle and close all matters, including
the making of agreements for compen-
sation. and all questions and disputes
of whatsoever nature arising out of or
incident to federal control, until 9TH
erwise provided by proclamation of
the president or by act of congress,
and generally to perform as fully in
all respects as the president is author
ized to do, all the acts and things nee
essary or proper in order to carry into
effect this proclamation and the relin-
uuishment of said railroads, systems
or transportation and property.
"For the purpose of accounting and
for all other purposes, this proclama-
tion shall become effective OH the first
day of March, 1920, at 1901 a. nj.
TN witness. whereof | have here
unto set my hand and caused the seal
of the United States to be affixed.
Done by the president, through
Ncwto. p. Baker. secretary of war in
The district Of Columbia, this oath day
Of December, the year of our Lord one
thousand. nine hundred and nineteen,
and af rho Independence of the United
Nichrome a Hard Metal.