PRESIDENT WILSON MAKES CASE FOR TAKING CONTROL OF RAILS
Washington, D.C. (JFK+50) One hundred years ago, January 4, 1918, President Woodrow Wilson spoke to a joint session of the United States Congress to make his case for taking control of the railways and to recommend passage of The Railway Control Act*.
The President said...
"I took possession and assumed control of the rail lines of this country and the systems of water transportation under their control...in the interest of public welfare (and) in the presence of the great tasks of war with which we are dealing."
Mr. Wilson continued...
"Only under government administration can an absolutely unrestricted common use be made of all tracks...."
The President urged the Congress to guarantee that railroad properties would be "maintained in good repair."
He added...
"Our first duty is...to conserve the common interest and...(the) common safety."
*The Railway Control Act became law in March 1918. It provided that within 21 months of a peace treaty ending WWI, the railways would be returned to their owners who would be compensated for the use of their property.
SOURCES
"U.S. Government takes over control of the nation's railroads", This Day In History, December 26, www.history.com/
"Wilson Reads Congress Railroad Message, Asks for Fullest Power", January 4, 1918, Throwback Thursday, www.nwitimes.com/
"Woodrow Wilson: Address to a Joint Session of Congress on Government Administration of Railways", January 4, 1918, The American Presidency Project, www.presidency.ucsb.edu/
USRA The Light Mikado
Baltimore & Ohio RR
Loco Cyclopedia of America (1922)
Washington, D.C. (JFK+50) One hundred years ago, January 4, 1918, President Woodrow Wilson spoke to a joint session of the United States Congress to make his case for taking control of the railways and to recommend passage of The Railway Control Act*.
The President said...
"I took possession and assumed control of the rail lines of this country and the systems of water transportation under their control...in the interest of public welfare (and) in the presence of the great tasks of war with which we are dealing."
Mr. Wilson continued...
"Only under government administration can an absolutely unrestricted common use be made of all tracks...."
The President urged the Congress to guarantee that railroad properties would be "maintained in good repair."
He added...
"Our first duty is...to conserve the common interest and...(the) common safety."
*The Railway Control Act became law in March 1918. It provided that within 21 months of a peace treaty ending WWI, the railways would be returned to their owners who would be compensated for the use of their property.
SOURCES
"U.S. Government takes over control of the nation's railroads", This Day In History, December 26, www.history.com/
"Wilson Reads Congress Railroad Message, Asks for Fullest Power", January 4, 1918, Throwback Thursday, www.nwitimes.com/
"Woodrow Wilson: Address to a Joint Session of Congress on Government Administration of Railways", January 4, 1918, The American Presidency Project, www.presidency.ucsb.edu/
USRA The Light Mikado
Baltimore & Ohio RR
Loco Cyclopedia of America (1922)
