Le MeschaceÌbeÌ. [volume] ([Lucy] La.) 1853-1942, 1920-01-03
TO RETURN ROADS
ON MARCH l NEXT
President Wilson Announces
Carriers Will be Turned
Back to Owners.

turning the railroads and express COM
panies to private control March l.
Failure of congress to enact RENE
dial legislation was given as the rea-
son for extending by two months the
time originally announced for reiin-
gushing government control of the
railroad properties In his message to
congress last May, President Wilson
said the railroads would be turned
back at the end of the calendar year.
30 agreement having yet been
| reached by congress, Secretary Tumul-
ty said in announcing the proclama-
ton, 1T becomes necessary in the pub
lie interest to allow a reasonable time
to elapse between the issuing of the
proclamation and the date of its actu-
ally taking effect. The president is
advised that the railroad and express
companies are not organized TO make
it possible for them to receive and
manage their properties if actually
turned over to them December 81"
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 of
war, taken possession of, and have
through the director general of rail
roads exercised control over certain
railroad systems Of transportation and
property pertaining thereto or connect
transportation engaged in general
transportation and owned or controlled
by said railroads or systems of trans
portation, including also terminals,
terminal companies and terminal as
sociations, sleeping and parIor cars.
private cars and private car lines, ele-
vators, warehouses, telegraph and tele-
phone lines and all other equipment
and appurtenGnces commonly used
upon or operated as part of such
railroads and systems of transporta
ton; and
Whereas, l now deem it needful and
desirable that all railroads. systems
of transportation and property now un-
der such federal control be relinquish-
ed therefrom; now, therefore, under
authority of section II of the federal
control act, approved March 21, 1918,
and of all other powers and provisions
Of law heretofore enabling me, l.
Woodrow Wilson, president of the
United States, do hereby relinQuish
from federal control. effective the first
day of March, 1920, at 12:01 o'clock
a. m, all railroad 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 owners.
Walker ID. 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, 1918, to adjust, settle
and close all matters, including the
making of agreements for compensa-
ton, and all questions and disputes of
whatsoever nature arising out of or in
cident to federal control, until other
wise provided by proclamation of the
president or by act Of congress, and
generally to perform as fully in all re-
spects as the president is authorized
to do, all and singular, the~acts and
things necessary or proper in order to
carry into effect this proclamation and
the REIMBURSEMENT of said railroads,
systems of transportation and prop
erty
For this purpose of accounting and
for all other purposes, this proclama-
tion shall become effective on the first
day of March. 1920, at 1901 a. m.
In witness whereof, have hereunto
set my hand and caused the seal of |
the United States to be affixed.
Done by the president through New
ton d. Baker, secretary of war, in the |
District of Columbia, this oath day of |
the year of our Lord 1919,
and Of the independence of the United |
States of America the Hath.
WOODROW WILSON.
By the President:
Robert Lansing. Secretary Of State.
Newton d. Baker, Secretary Of War.