Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1919-12-18
Tumulty Tells Delegation of
Union Labor Men and Farm
ers Mr.. Wilson Will Hear Sug-
gestiOns on Railroad Situation
GOMPERS AT WHITE HOUSE
Visiting Delegation Asks Executive to
Delay Return Of Roads to Owners
for Two Years So Govt. Control May
BE Fairly Tested

Washington. Dec. 17.-President Will
SON mind is still open on the question
of returning the railroads to private
control, Secretary Tumulty to-day told
delegation representing union labor
and some farmers organizations which
called at the White House to present a
letter asking the executive to delay re-
turn of the roads for two years.
This was the first authoritative ex-
preston on the subject which had come
from administration quarters since the
President informed Congress last May
that he planned to relinquish federal
control by January I. The President,
Mr.. Tumulty said, would be glad to get
the views of the labor and farmer repre-
sentatives who insisted that a fair test
of government operation in peace time
should be given.
While the delegation was at the White
House, the Senate was speeding up con-
sideration of the Cummins railroad bill
and apparently was nearing a final vote
after more than week of debate. Under
the measure the roads would be returned
to their owners within 30 days after the
bill became a law. but there was no pros
pect that final enactment of any railroad
legislation would be completed until we'll
after the Christmas holidays owing to
differences between the Senate and
House
Before going to the White House the
union labor and farmers delegation.
which included President Gompers of the
American Federation of Labor and rep
resentatives of the railroad brotherhoods,
called on Senator Cummins. chairman Of
~
tee. and asked that his bill be Withdrawn.
He indicated that he would lay the re-
quest before the full committee.
The letter from the labor and farmers
delegation to the President and pro-
ponents of the Cummins bill claimed that
the President planned to return the
roads by January and that some legis-
lation providing for such return must be
enacted Immediately.
I'VE believe that this assertion is a
great injustice to you" continued the
letter. "As you doubtless know, an over
whelming majority of the farmers and
the members of the American Federation
of Labor and the railroad brotherhoods,
as well as the general public, favor an
extension of the period of government
operation of the railroads for at least two
years. in order that a fair test may have
been made of government operation and
a plan may be worked out for the ulti-
mate disposal of the railroads which
would be fair to all interests involved.
Director General Hines and mem
bers of the Interstate Commerce Com
mission have shown clearly that the
return of the railroads will involve an
increase in freight rates of close to a
billion dollars. This increase in rates.
according to the same authorities will
be reflected In an increase cost of liv-
ing of at least $4,000. 900. 900 year,
possibly $1,000, O00,O The American
people cannot and should not stand
such an increase.
we respectfully request. Mr.. Pres =
ident. on behalf of the farmers. the
American Federation of Labor and the
railway brotherhoods as we'll as the
general public, that you stop the ru-
mors that you plan to return the rail-
roads to private control and that in
View of the changed conditions and the
prevalent Industrial unrest you re cs =
tablish public confidence by advocat-
ing that the period of government OPP
GRAFTON be continued for at least two
years"
During the day, j. L. Howard, repre-
senting the American farm bureau fed
Grafton. made public a letter which he
had sent to Senator Cummins trans
mittlns resolutions adopted by the fed
Grafton at Chicago last month demand
ing "fhe early return of the railroads
10 private control under such conditions
and regulations as will render adequate
service at just and equitable rates.
Mr.. Howard said the resolutions had
been adopted unanimously.
This unanimous approval" he wrote.
was from a body of more than 400 active
and actual farmers holding delegate
power from more than 1000 900 other
farmers from "a States of the Union''