Mr. DAVIS. Mr. Speaker, I desire to say a few words with reference to that one of the amendments which proposes to require from this railroad company the transportation, free of all charge or toll, of all troops and munitions of war of the U.S. at any time when required by the Government. New, sir, [insist that this provision is on just. Although we give to this company the right of way, we do so in consideration of the a vantage which the constructi of this road will afford the entire country a ong the line. The investment of the capital of this country in a railroad adds in fact to the value of every acre of public land or private land anywhere within its vicinity. In the case of the Illinois Central railroad, I undertake to say that the benefits which the State of Illinois and the U.S. have derived from the construction of that road are infinitely greater than the value of all the land that was ever granted to the compan. 'Mr. Speaker, I object to the principle of imposing such a requirement on any railroad company to which we make grants ofland. When this war broke out the Illinois Central Railroad Company were required by the government to furnish cars and other means of transportation to the Government. 'Dhey had not teability, with all their stock, to furnish all the transportation which the Government required. They were obliged to apply to other roads in the State of Illinois and out of the State. The entire equi iments of several of these roads were seized by the Government and kept week after week and month after month in that service. Yet, upon the principle which it is proposed to incorporate in this bill, we deny to the company to whom we are now giving this grant the power of asking comiensation for the service, however great, w rich they may render to the Government. In the case to which I have referred, the Illinois Cen tral Railroad Company said to the Government, “Take our road and run it if it is necessary for the assistance of the Government in carrying on the war." The Government said, as it ought to say in every case “We will charge you a reasonable sum for the right of way, and then we will pay that com.ensation which is fair and just with regard bot to the Government and the corporation.” I hope, Mr. Speaker, that this amendment reporte by the committee will not be agreed to; and I ask a separate vote upon it.