United States Railroad Administration Records

Collection

Identifier: M258

Staff Only

Abstract

The United States Railroad Administration was an independent federal agency, established by presidential proclamation on December 26, 1917. The materials in the collection are the records of the United States Railroad Administration, and include: circulars, orders, bulletins, dockets, rate advice correspondence, questionnaires, statistics, contracts between the government and the railroads, as well as letters, telegrams, and cases.

Dates

1898-1923
Majority of material found in 1917-1920

Creator

United States Railroad Administration (Organization)

Biographical / Historical

The United States Railroad Administration was an independent federal agency, established by Presidential Proclamation 1419, December 26, 1917, under the authority of the Army Appropriation Act (39 Stat. 645), August 29, 1916. The USRA operated railroads, coastwise steamship lines, inland waterways, and telephone and telegraph companies that were seized by the government in the interest of national defense, and entered into compensatory agreements with seized carriers pursuant to the Federal Control Act (40 Stat. 451), March 21, 1918. All United States railroads were returned to private control on March 1, 1920, under the terms of the Transportation Act (41 Stat. 470), February 28, 1920. USRA functions thereafter centered on liquidation and final settlement of accounts.

Extent

27 Linear Feet (27 record boxes)

Additional Description

Scope and Contents

The materials in the collection are the records of the United States Railroad Administration, and include: circulars, orders, bulletins, dockets, rate advice correspondence, questionnaires, statistics, contracts between the government and the railroads, as well as letters, telegrams, and cases.