(13) Ginners, buyers, agents, dealers or other handlers of cotton seed who handle yearly, between September 1st and August 31st, less than one hundred and fifty tons of cotton seed,

are hereby required to secure on or before November 1, 1917, a license, which license will be issued under such rules and regulations governing the conduct of the business as may be prescribed.

Application for license must be made to the United States Food Administration, Washington, D. C., Law Department -License Division, on forms prepared by it for that purpose, which may be secured on request.

Any person, firm, corporation or association other than those herein before excepted, who shall engage in or carry on any business herein before specified after November 1, 1917, without first securing such license will be liable to the penalty prescribed by said Act of Congress.

PROCLAMATION RELATING TO SECOND LIBERTY LOAN,
OCTOBER 12, 1917.

The Second Liberty Loan gives the people of the United States another opportunity to lend their funds to their Government to sustain their country at war. The might of the United States is being mobilized and organized to strike a mortal blow at autocracy in defense of outraged American rights and of the cause of Liberty. Billions of dollars are required to arm, feed and clothe the brave men who are going forth to fight our country's battles and to assist the nations with whom we are making common cause against a common foe. To subscribe to the Liberty Loan is to perform a service of patriotism.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, WOODROW WILSON, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, do appoint Wednesday, the twenty-fourth of October, as Liberty Day, and urge and advise the people to assemble in their respective communities and pledge to one another and to the Government that represents them the fullest measure of financial support. On the afternoon of that day I request that patriotic meetings be held in every city, town and hamlet throughout the land, under the general direction of the Secretary of the Treasury and the immediate direction of the Liberty Loan Committees which have been organized by the Federal Reserve Banks. The people responded nobly to the call of the First Liberty Loan with an oversubscription of more than fifty per cent. Let the response to the Second Loan be even greater and let the amount be so large that it will serve as an assurance of unequalled support to hearten the men who are to face the fire of battle for us. Let the result be so impressive and emphatic that it will echo throughout the Empire of our enemy as an index of what America intends to do to bring this war to a victorious conclusion.

For the purpose of participating in Liberty Day celebrations, all employees of the Federal Government throughout the country whose services can be spared, may be excused at twelve o'clock noon, Wednesday, the twenty-fourth of October....

THE PRESIDENT'S PROCLAMATION TAKING OVER RAILROAD LINES, DECEMBER 26, 1917.

Whereas the Congress of the United States, in the exercise of the constitutional authority vested in them, by joint resolution of the Senate and House of Representatives, bearing date April 6, 1917, resolved:

That the state of war between the United States and the Imperial German Government which has thus been thrust upon the United States is hereby formally declared; and that the President be, and he is hereby, authorized and di

rected to employ the entire naval and military forces of the United States and the resources of the Government to carry on war against the Imperial German Government; and to bring the conflict to a successful termination, all of the resources of the country are hereby pledged by the Congress of the United States:

And by joint resolution bearing date of December 7, 1917, resolved:

That a state of war is hereby declared to exist between the United States of America and the Imperial and Royal Austro-Hungarian Government; and that the President be, and he is hereby, authorized and directed to employ the entire naval and military forces of the United States and the resources of the Government to carry on war against the Imperial and Royal Austro-Hungarian Government; and to bring the conflict to a successful termination, all the resources of the country are hereby pledged by the Congress of the United States.

And whereas it is provided by section 1 of the act approved August 29, 1916, entitled "An Act making appropriations for the support of the Army for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1917, and for other purposes," as follows:

The President, in time of war, is empowered, through the Secretary of War, to take possession and assume control of any system or systems of transportation, or any part thereof, and to utilize the same to the exclusion, as far as may be necessary, of all other traffic thereon for the transfer or transportation of troops, war material, and equipment, or for such other purposes connected with the emergency as may be needful or desirable.

And whereas it has now become necessary in the national defense to take possession and assume control of certain systems of transportation and to utilize the same to the exclusion, as far as may be necessary, of other than war traffic thereon for the transportation of troops, war material, and equipment therefor, and for other needful and de sirable purposes connected with the prosecution of the war; Now, therefore, I, Woodrow Wilson, President of the United States, under and by virtue of the powers vested in me by the foregoing resolutions and statute, and by virtue of all other powers thereto me enabling, do hereby, through Newton D. Baker, Secretary of War, take possession and assume control at 12 o'clock noon on the twenty-eighth day of December, 1917, of each and every system of transportation and the appurtenances thereof located wholly or in part within the boundaries of the continental United States and consisting of railroads, and owned or controlled systems of coastwise and inland transportation, engaged in general transportation, whether operated by steam or by electric power, including also terminals, terminal panies, and terminal associations, sleeping and parlor cars, private cars and private car lines, elevators, warehouses, telegraph and telephone lines, and all other equipment and appurtenances commonly used upon or operated as a part of such rail or combined rail and water systems of transportation to the end that such systems of transportation be utilized for the transfer and transportation of troops, war material and equipment, to the exclusion, so far as may be necessary, of all other traffic thereon, and that so far as such exclusive use be not necessary or desirable, such systems of transportation be operated and utilized in the performance of such other services as the national interest may require and of the usual and ordinary business and duties of common carriers.

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It is hereby directed that the possession, control, operation and utilization of such transportation systems hereby by me undertaken shall be exercised by and through Wm. G. McAdoo, who is hereby appointed and designated

PROCLAMATION CONCERNING EXPORTS, FEBRUARY 14, 1918. Whereas, Congress has enacted, and the President has on the 15th day of June, 1917, approved a law which contains the following provisions:

“Whenever during the present war the President shall find that the public safety shall so require, and shall make proclamation thereof, it shall be unlawful to export from or ship from or take out of the United States to any country named in such proclamation any article or articles mentioned in such proclamation, except at such time or times, and under such regulations and orders, and subject to such limitations and exceptions as the President shall prescribe, until otherwise ordered by the President or by Congress; provided, however, that no preference shall be given to the ports of one State over those of another."

And, whereas, the President has heretofore by proclamations dated July 9, 1917, August 27, 1917, September 7, 1917, and November 28, 1917, declared certain exports in time of war unlawful, and the President now finds that the public safety requires that such proclamations be amended and supplemented in respect to the articles and countries hereinafter mentioned;

Now, therefore, I, Woodrow Wilson, President of the United States of America, do hereby proclaim to all whom it may concern that the public safety requires that the following articles, namely: All kinds of arms, guns, ammunition and explosives, machines for their manufacture or repair, component parts, thereof, materials or ingredients used in their manufacture, and all articles necessary or convenient for their use; all contrivances for or means of transportation on land or in the water or air, machines used in their manufacture or repair, component parts thereof, materials or ingredients used in their manufacture, and all instruments, articles, and animals necessary or convenient for their use; all means of communication, tools, implements, instruments, equipment, maps, pictures, papers, and other articles, machines and documents necessary or convenient for carrying on hostile operations; all kinds of fuel, food, food-stuffs, feed, forage, and clothing, and all articles and materials used in their manufacture; all chemicals, drugs, dyestuffs, and tanning materials; cotton, wool, silk, flax, hemp, jute, sisal, and other fibers and manufactures thereof; all earths, clay, glass, sand, stone, and their products; animals of every kind, their products and derivatives; hides, skins, and manufactures thereof; all non-edible animal and vegetable products; all machinery, tools, dies, plates, and apparatus, and materials necessary or convenient for their manufacture; medical, surgical, laboratory, and sanitary supplies and equipment; all metals, minerals, mineral oils, ores, and all derivatives and manufactures thereof; paper pulp, books, and all printed matter and material necessary or convenient for their manufacture; rubber, gums, rosins, tars, and waxes, their products, derivatives, and substitutes, and all articles containing them; wood and wood manufactures, coffee, cocoa, tea,

and spices; wines, spirits, mineral waters, and beverages; and all other articles of any kind whatsoever shall not, on and after the 16th day of February, in the year 1918, be exported from, or shipped from, or taken out of the United States or its Territorial possessions to Abyssinia, Afghanistan, Albania, Argentina, Austria-Hungary, Belgium, her colonies, possessions, and protectorates, Bolivia, Brazil, Bulgaria, China, Denmark, her colonies, possessions, and protectorates, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, France, her colonies, possessions, and protectorates, Germany, her colonies, possessions, and protectorates, Great Britain, ber colonies, possessions, and protectorates, Greece, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, Italy, her colonies, possessions, and protectorates, Japan, Liechtenstein, Liberia, Luxembourg, Mexico, Monaco, Montenegro, Morocco, Nepal, The Netherlands, her colonies, possessions, and protectorates, Nicaragua, Norway, Oman, Panama, Paraguay, Persia, Peru, Portugal, her colonies, possessions, and protectorates, Roumania, Russia, Salvador, San Marino, Serbia, Siam, Spain, her colonies, possessions, and protectorates, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, Uruguay, or Venezuela, except under license granted in accordance with regulations or orders and subject to such limitations and exceptions as have heretofore been, or shall hereafter be prescribed in pursuance of the powers conferred by said act of June 15, 1917. The said proclamation of July 9, 1917, August 27, 1917, September 7, 1917, and November 28, 1917, and paragraph 11 of the Executive Order of October 12, 1917, are hereby confirmed and continued and all rules and regulations heretofore made in connection therewith or in pursuance thereof are likewise hereby confirmed and continued and made applicable to this proclamation. . . .1

PROCLAMATION DIRECTING THE TAKING OVER OF DUTCH VESSELS, MARCH 20, 1918.

Whereas, the law and practice of nations accords to a belligerent power the right in times of military exigency and for purposes essential to the prosecution of war, to take over and utilize neutral vessels lying within its jurisdiction:

And whereas the act of Congress of June 15, 1917, entitled "An Act making appropriations to supply urgent deficiencies in appropriations for the Military and Naval Establishments on account of war expenses for the fiscal year ending June thirtieth, nineteen hundred and seventeen, and for the other purposes," confers upon the President power to take over the possession of any vessel within the jurisdiction of the United States for use or operation by the United States:

Now, therefore, I, Woodrow Wilson, President of the United States of America, in accordance with international law and practice and by virtue of the act of Congress aforesaid, and as Commander in Chief of the Army and Navy of the United States, do hereby find and proclaim that the imperative military needs of the United States require the immediate utilization of vessels of Netherlands registry, now lying within the territorial waters of the United States; and I do therefore authorize and empower the Secretary of the Navy to take over on behalf of the United States the possession of and to employ all such vessels of Netherlands registry as may be necessary for essential purposes connected with the prosecution of the war against the Imperial German Government. The vessels shall be manned, equipped, and operated by the Navy Department and the United States Shipping Board, as may be deemed expedient; and the United States Shipping Board 1 An almost identical proclamation relating to imports was issued on the same day.

shall make to the owners thereof full compensation, in accordance with the principles of international law. . . . EXPLANATORY STATEMENT CONCERNING THE TAKING OVER OF DUTCH VESSELS, MARCH 20, 1918.

For some months the United States and the entente allies have been conducting negotiations with the Dutch Government with the object of concluding a general commercial agreement.

A very clear statement of the character of these negotiations was made on March 12 to the Dutch Parliament by his excellency the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Holland. As appears from the statement, the discussion proceeded upon the basis of two fundamental propositions, namely, that the United States and the allies should facilitate the importation into Holland of foodstuffs and other commodities required to maintain her economic life, and that Holland should restore her merchant marine to a normal condition of activity.

It was the task of the negotiators to develop a specific application of these propositions which would be acceptable to the Governments concerned.

Early in January, 1918, the negotiators came to an understanding which was embodied in a tentative agreement, which was submitted to the Governments concerned in order that if acceptable it might be ratified, or if unacceptable a counter proposal might be made.

The negotiations becoming prolonged, the Dutch delegates proposed, in order that their ships might sooner be put into remunerative service, that Dutch tonnage lying idle in American waters should, with certain exceptions, be immediately chartered to the United States for periods not exceeding 90 days.

This proposal was accepted by the United States Government, and on January 25, 1918, the Dutch Minister at Washington handed to the Secretary of State of the United States a note expressing the terms of the temporary chartering agreement and his Government's acceptance thereof. This agreement provided, among other things, that 150,000 tons of Dutch shipping should, at the discretion of the United States, be employed partly in the service of Belgian relief and partly for Switzerland on safe conduct to Cette, France, and that for each ship sent to Holland in the service of Belgian relief a corresponding vessel should leave Holland for the United States. Two Dutch ships in the United States ports with cargoes of foodstuffs were to proceed to Holland, similar tonnage being sent in exchange from Holland to the United States for charter as in the case of other Dutch ships lying in the United States ports.

The agreement was explicitly temporary in character, and, being designed to meet an immediate situation, prompt performance was of the essence. The Dutch Government at once disclosed, however, that it was unwilling or unable to carry out this chartering agreement which it had itself proposed. The first desire of the United States was to secure at once shipping, as contemplated by the agreement to transport to Switzerland foodstuffs much needed by the State. One difficulty after another was, however, raised to postpone the chartering of Dutch ships for Swiss relief, and, although the reason was never formally expressed, it was generally known that the Dutch shipowners feared lest their ships should be destroyed by German submarines, even though on an errand of mercy, and though not traversing any of the so-called "danger zones" proclaimed by the German Government. That this fear was not wholly unjusti fied has, unhappily, been shown by the recent act of the German Government in sinking the Spanish ship Sardinero outside the "danger zone" when carrying a cargo of grain for Switzerland, and after the submarine commander had ascertained this fact by an inspection of the ship's papers. In respect of Belgian relief, the Dutch Government expressed its present inability to comply with the agreement on the ground that the German Government had given Holland to understand that it would forcibly prevent the departure from Holland of the corresponding ships, which under the agreement were to leave coincidently for the

United States. The Dutch Government even felt itself unable to secure the two cargoes of foodstuffs, which under the agreement it was permitted to secure, since here again the German Government intervened and threatened to destroy the equivalent Dutch tonnage which under the agreement was to leave Holland for the United States.

Nearly two months have elapsed since the making of the temporary chartering agreement, and the proposed general agreement has lain even longer without reply on the part of Holland. Meanwhile, German threats have grown more violent, with a view to preventing any permanent agreement and of forcing Holland to violate any temporary agreement.

On March 7, through Great Britain, a final proposal, expiring on the 18th, was submitted to Holland. A reply has been received which, while in itself unacceptable, might under other conditions have served as a basis for further negotiations. But the events to which I have alluded had served to demonstrate conclusively that we have been attempting to negotiate where the essential basis for an agreement, namely, the meeting of free wills, is absent. Even were an agreement concluded, there is lacking that power of independent action which alone can assure performance. I say this not in criticism of the Dutch Government. I profoundly sympathize with the difficulty of her position under the menace of a military power which bas in every way demonstrated its disdain of neutral rights. But, since coercion does in fact exist, no alternative is left to us but to accomplish, through the exercise of our indisputable rights as a sovereign, that which is so reasonable that in other circumstances we could be confident of accomplishing it by agreement.

Steps are accordingly being taken to put into our service Dutch shipping lying within our territorial jurisdiction. This action which is being taken by Governments associated with us leaves to Holland ample tonnage for her domestic and colonial needs. We have informed the Dutch Government that her colonial trade will be facilitated and that she may at once send ships from Holland to secure the bread cereals which her people require. These ships will be freely bunkered and will be immune from detention on our part. The liner New Amsterdam, which came within our jurisdiction under an agreement for her return, will, of course, be permitted at once to return to Holland. Not only so, but she will be authorized to carry back with her the two cargoes of foodstuffs which Holland would have secured under the temporary chartering agreement had not Germany prevented. Ample compensation will be paid to the Dutch owners of the ships which will be put into our service, and suitable provision will be made to meet the possibility of ships being lost through enemy action.

It is our earnest desire to safeguard to the fullest extent the interests of Holland and of her nationals. By exercising in this crisis our admitted right to control all property within our territory, we do no wrong to Holland. The manner in which we proposed to exercise this right and our proposals made to Holland concurrently therewith cannot, I believe, fail to evidence to Holland the sincerity of our friendship toward her.

WOODROW WILSON.

PROCLAMATION CONCERNING NATIONAL WAR LABOR BOARD, APRIL 8, 1918.

Whereas, in January, 1918, the Secretary of Labor, upon the nomination of the President of the American Federation of Labor and the President of the National Industrial Conference Board, appointed a War Labor Conference Board, for the purpose of devising for the period of the var a method of labor adjustment which would be acceptable to employers and employees; and

Whereas, said board has made a report recommending the creation for the period of the war of a national war labor board with the same number of members as, and to be selected by the same agencies, that created the War Labor

Conference Board whose duty it shall be to adjust labor disputes in the manner specified, and in accordance with certain conditions set forth in the said report; and

Whereas, the Secretary of Labor has, in accordance with the recommendation contained in the report of said War Labor Conference Board dated March 29, 1918, appointed as members of the National War Labor Board, Hon. William Howard Taft and Hon. Frank P. Walsh, representatives of the general public of the United States; Messrs. Loyall Z. Osborne, L. F. Loree, W. H. Van Dervoort, C. E. Michael, and B. L. Worden, representatives of the employers of the United States; and Messrs. Frank J. Hayes, William L. Hutcheson, William H. Johnston, Victor A. Olander, and T. A. Rickert, representatives of the employees of the United States:

Now, therefore, I, Woodrow Wilson, President of the United States of America, do hereby approve and affirm the said appointments and make due proclamation thereof and of the following for the information and guidance of all concerned:

The powers, functions, and duties of the National War Labor Board shall be: To settle by mediation and conciliation controversies arising between employers and workers in fields of production necessary for the effective conduct of the war, or in other fields of national activity, delays and obstructions which might, in the opinion of the National Board, affect detrimentally such production; to provide, by direct appointment or otherwise, for committees or boards to sit in various parts of the country where controversies arise and secure settlement by local mediation and conciliation; and to summon the parties to controversies for hearing and action by the National Board in event of failure to secure settlement by mediation and conciliation.

The principles to be observed and the methods to be followed by the National Board in exercising such powers and functions and performing such duties shall be those specified in the said report of the War Labor Conference Board dated March 29, 1918, a complete copy of which is hereunto appended.

The national board shall refuse to take cognizance of a controversy between employer and workers in any field of industrial or other activity where there is by agreement or Federal law a means of settlement which has not been invoked.

And I do hereby urge upon all employers and employees within the United States the necessity of utilizing the means and methods thus provided for the adjustment of all Industrial disputes, and request that during the pendency of mediation or arbitration through the said means and methods there shall be no discontinuance of industrial operations which would result in curtailment of the production of war necessities. . . .

PRIORITIES LIST FOR SUPPLY OF FUEL, APRIL 10, 1918. The War Industries Board of the Council of National Defense issued the following statement:

The Priorities Board has adopted Preference List No. 1 for the guidance of all governmental agencies in the supply and in the distribution by rail or water of coal and coke. While the list speaks for itself, it is proper to say that the board has not undertaken to classify any industry as nonessential or at this time to limit the quantity of fuel which any particular industry or plant shall receive. The board has, however, listed certain industries whose operation is of exceptional importance, measured by the extent of their direct or indirect contribution either toward winning the war or toward promoting the national welfare, and these industries will be accorded preferential treatment by the Fuel Administration in the distribution of coal and coke, and

This same plan will be followed in according preferential treatment to war industries and plants in the transportation of raw materials and supplies required by them in their manufacturing operations, so that they may not be delayed or hampered in complying with priority orders issued against them governing their products.

Preference List No. 1 is not complete in itself, but it will be noted that provision is made for certifying additional classes of industries, and also individual plants whose operations are necessary as a war measure.

In determining what industries or plants are entitled to be certified, two factors will control: (1) The relative urgency of the uses or purposes for which the product of the plant is utilized; and (2) the per cent. of the product of the plant utilized in war work, direct or indirect, or work of exceptional or national importance. No plant, a very substantial per cent. of whose product is not of exceptional importance, can be accorded preferential treatment.

PRIORITIES BOARD PREFERENCE LIST NO. 1.

In pursuance of a resolution unanimously adopted by the Priorities Board at a meeting held April 6, 1918, the following preference list of classes of industries, whose operation as a war measure is of exceptional importance, is promulgated and published for the guidance of all agencies of the United States Government in the supply and distribution of coal and coke, and in the supply of transportation by rail and water for the movement of coal and coke to said industries.

The priorities commissioner shall, under the direction of and with the approval of the Priorities Board, certify additional classes of industries, and also certify individual plants whose operation as a war measure is of exceptional importance, which industries and plants when so certified shall be automatically included in this Preference List, which shall be amended or revised from time to time by ac tion of the Priorities Board to meet changing conditions.

No distinction is made between any of the industries or plants which are or may be included in this Preference List, and no significance should attach to the order in which the industries or plants appear in the list.

Aircraft.-Plants engaged exclusively in manufacturing aircraft or supplies and equipment therefor.

Ammunition.-Plants engaged in the manufacture of ammunition for the United States Government and the allies.

Army and Navy cantonments and camps.

Arms (small).-Plants engaged in manufacturing small arms for United States Government and for the allies. Chemicals. Plants engaged exclusively in manufacturing chemicals.

Coke plants.

Domestic consumers.

Electrical equipment.-Plants manufacturing same.
Electrodes.-Plants producing electrodes.

Explosives. Plants manufacturing explosives.

Farm implements.-Manufacturers exclusively of agricultural implements and farm-operating equipment. Feed.-Plants producing feed.

Ferroalloys.-Plants producing.
Fertilizers.-Manufacturers of fertilizers.

Fire brick.-Plants producing exclusively.

Food.-Plants manufacturing, milling, preparing, refining, preserving, and wholesaling food for human consump

tion.

Food containers.-Manufacturers of tin and glass con