Possession, control, and operation of the transportation systems owned or operated by the carriers by railroad named in the list attached hereto and hereby made a part hereof are hereby taken and assumed, through the Secretary of the Army (hereinafter referred to as the Secretary), as of 12 o'clock noon, Eastern Standard Time, May 10, 1948; 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 systems of the said carriers. If and when the Secretary finds it necessary or appropriate for carrying out the purposes of this order, he may, by appropriate order, take possession and assume control of all or any part of any transportation system of any other carrier by railroad located in the continental United States. The Secretary is directed to operate or to arrange for the operation of, the transportation systems taken under or pursuant to this order in such manner as he deems necessary to assure to the fullest possible extent continuous and uninterrupted transportation service. In carrying out the provisions of this order the Secretary may act through or with the aid of such public or private instrumentalities or persons as he may designate, and may delegate such of his authority as he may deem necessary or desirable. The Secretary may issue such general and special orders, rules, and regulations as may be necessary or appropriate for carrying out the provisions, and to accomplish the purposes, of this order. All Federal agencies shall comply with the orders of the Secretary issued pursuant to this order and shall cooperate to the fullest extent of their authority with the Secretary in carrying out the provisions of this order. The Secretary shall permit the management of carriers whose transportation systems have been taken under, or which may be taken pursuant to, the provisions of this order to continue their respective managerial functions to the maximum degree possible consistent with the purposes of this order. Except so far as the Secretary shall from time to time otherwise provide by appropriate order or regulation, the boards of directors, trustees, receivers, officers, and employees of such carriers shall continue the operation of the said transportation systems including the collection and disbursement of funds thereof, in the usual and ordinary course of the business of the carriers, in the names of their respective companies, and by means of any agencies, associations, or other instrumentalities now utilized by the carriers. Except so far as the Secretary shall from time to time otherwise determine and provide by appropriate orders or regulations, existing contracts and agreements to which carriers whose transportation systems have been taken under, or which may be taken pursuant to, the provisions of this order are parties, shall remain in full force and effect. Nothing in this order shall have the effect of suspending or releasing any obligation owed to any carrier affected hereby, and all payments shall be made by the persons obligated to the carrier to which they are or may become due. Except as the Secretary may otherwise direct, there may be made, in due course, payments of dividends on stock, and of principal, interest, sinking funds, and all other distributions upon bonds, debentures, and other obligations; and expenditures may be made for other ordinary corporate purposes. Until further order of the President or the Secretary, the said transportation systems shall be managed and operated under the terms and conditions of employment in effect at the time possession is taken under this order, without prejudice to existing equities or to the effectiveness of such retroactive provisions as may be included in the final settlement of the disputes between the carriers and the workers. The Secretary shall recognize 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 carriers, subject to the provisions of applicable law, as to disputes between the carriers and the workers; and to engage in concerted activities for the purpose of such collective bargaining or for other mutual aid or protection, provided that in his opinion such concerted activities do not interfere with the operation of the transportation systems taken hereunder, or which may be taken pursuant hereto.