White House Press Release, Executive Order Number 9736

266 #706 IMMEDIATE RELEASE JUNE 14, 1946 EXECUTIVE ORDER 9736 POSSESSION, CONTROL, AND OPERATION OF THE TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM, PLANTS, AND FACILITIES OF THE MONONGAHELA CONNECTING RAILROAD COMPANY WHEREAS after investigation I find and proclaim that as a result of a labor dispute there are interruptions of the operations of the transportation system, plants, and facilities of The Monongahela Connecting Railroad Company; that the war effort will be unduly impeded and delayed by such interrup- tions; that it has become necessary to take possession and assume control of the said transportation system, plants, and facilities for purposes that are needful or desirable in connection with the present wartime emergency; and that the exercise, as hereinafter specified, of the powers vested in me is necessary to insure in the national interest the operation of the said transportation system, plants, and facilities: NOW, THEREFORE, by virtue of the power and authority vested in me by the Constitution and laws of the United States, including section 9 of the Selective Training and Service Act of 1940 as amended by section 3 of the War Labor Disputes Act (57 Stat. 164), the Act of August 29, 1916 (39 Stat. 619, 645), and the First war Powers Act, 1941 (55 Stat. 838), as President of the United States and Commander in Chief of the Army and Navy, it is hereby ordered as follows: 1. The Director of the Office of Defense +ransportation is authorized and directed, through or with the aid of any public officers, Federal agencies, or other government instrumentalities that he may designate, to take possession and assume control of the transportation system, plants, and facilities owned or operated by the Monongahela Connecting Railroad Company, but such possession and control shall be limited to real and personal property and other assets used or useful in connection with the operation of the transportation system of said carrier. 2. The Director is directed to operate, or arrange for the operation of, the transportation system, plants, end facilities taken pursuant to this order in such manner as he deems necessary to assure to the fullest possible extent continuous and uninter+ rupted transportation service. 3. Sub ject to applicable provisions of existing law, including the orders of the Office of Defense Transportation issued pursuant to Executive Orders 8989, as amended, and 9729, the said transportation system, plants, and facilities shall be managed and operated under the terms and conditions of employment in effect at the time possession is taken under this order. The Director shall recongnize the right of the workers to continue their membership in labor organizations, to bargain collectively through representatives of their own choosing with the representatives of the owners of the carrier, subject to the provisions of applicable statutes and Executive Orders, as to matters pertaining to wages to be paid or conditions to prevail after termination of possession and control under this order; and to engage in concerted activities for the purpose of (OVER)