The sun., 1919-10-19
SENATE RAILROAD
BILL Is COMPLETE
Measure Will Be Reported Out
Next Week Ready for
Debate.

WASHINGTON, Oct. IS. - Permanent
railroad legislation was advanced step
to-day the Senate Interstate Commerce
Committee completing work on its bill
providing for return OF the railroads to
private ownership and operation under
strict Government supervision and with
drastic provisions against strikes or
loclSouts.
The bill is to be reported out early
next week and placed In position for
Senate debate Immediately after dis.
posal of the treaty, with leaders plan
ming its passage next month.
Anti-strike provisions of the bill pro-
vide fines OF $500 or six months impris-
onment or both. for railroad employees
or officials or others convicted Of par
ticipating In or aiding strikes or lock-
outs. The prohibition against aiding
strikes was inserted. committee members
said, to reach both radicals ana labor
leaders who aid, abet, council, COM
mand, induce or procure action toward
a strike
Committees Are Provided.
In order that grievances Of en-
ployees may be heard and adjusted, the
committee provided for the establish
ment OF general and regional COM
mittee on railroad wages and working
conditions to be composed equally of
railroad employees and employers.
In its principal features the final COM
mittee bill is similar to the original
Cummins draft II provides for return
OF the roads within thirty days after
enactment to private operation and con-
troll under regulation OF the Interstate
Commerce Commission and q new Fed
eral Transportation Board.
Creation of not less than fifteen nor
more than twenty-five competitive, re-
gional railroad systems by the transpor-
| tation board is proposed and the
Interstate Commerce Commission is au-
thorized to fix rates which will make
certain return OF at least 5h per
cent. in actual value of the railroads In
the regional systems, plus n of / per
| cent. for improvements Earnings above
per cent are to be divided between
the carriers and the board.
In adjusting finances OF the railroads
| and the Government at the end OF Gov
eminent control the bill proposes that
| the Government accept the railroads
long term notes for Indebtedness to the
Government Of about s400. 200. 900. pay
| able within ten years at per cent.
interest. On other Indebtedness the bill
authorizes the President to accept short
term demand notes. The President also
is authorized to extend obligations of
| the carriers which have accrued during
Government control or to exchange them
for other securities.
La Toilette Dissents.
On the vote on final adoption of the
| anti-strike provisions Senator La Fol-
lette (Wls). Republican. alone dis
sented. A poll ordered OF absent men,
bers, however, was expected to develop
a few other opponents.
The committees anti-strike clauses
follow those in the original Cummins
! bill except that the penalties against
interference with interstate commerce
would apply to those who foment rail-
road strikes, such as outside labor lead
ers. as well as to the railroad en-
ployees.
The Federal committee on wages and
working conditions would be composed
of eight salaried members. four nomi-
mated by the railroad employees and
four by the companies.
Decisions of the regional committees
would be subject to appeal to the gen.
eral committee. The regional commit
tees would be composed of six mem
bers evenly divided between employees
and employers.
Another provision of the bill opposes
repeal of the Adamson eight hour rail-
| road law.