Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1919-08-05
HOLDS PRESIDENT
CAN GRANT RAISES
Senator Cummins Believes
R. R. Administration and
Executive Have Power.
CONGRESS NOT NEEDED

The President and the railroad ad-
ministration have full power to deal
with the demand for increase in wages
by railroad employees. without an ap-
peal to Congress. Senator cummins.
chairman Of the interstate commerce
committee Of the Senate, today de-
ciared in an address to the Senate.
Senator Cummins insisted that no
legislation was necessary to meet the
situation.
He said, however. that any recon-
mendations which the President might
make would be given careful consid-
GRAFTON by the Senate interstate COM
merce committee. He appealed to
members Of the Senate to be temperate
in their discussion Of the demand by
tho railway. employees for an increase
in wages. He said that the Justice OF
the demand should be carefully IN"
Quired, into.
Senator Cummins suggested that II
the senate could nnd time to take up
consideration Of the domestic prob
try it might aid in averting
catastrophe. which some men believe
is about to break over the country.
He said he did not know, however
whether the senators would pc will
ing to give over their discussion OF
the peace treaty and intsrnatioha'
affairs.
Peace at Home Preferable.
IF We must choose between the
two" interrupted Senator Thomas OF
Colorado, peace at home is prefer
able to peace abroad"
ssTf1e railroad administration mas
full powss- to deal With the present
situation" continued senator SuH
Minis. 1--WE have already given to the
President and the railroad aomih's-
Senator Cummins referred to an In
tsrview published in The star OF yes
terday with Director General Hines
Of the railroad standardization, In
which Mr.. Hines conveyed the impress.
sion that additional power was needed
from Congress. and saying that ne
had asked the President to take the
matter up with Congress.
81 think Il IL unfair to Congress,
both to the Senate and to the House.
to Issue a statement that the situa.
tion cannot be dealt with by the rail-
road administration until there has
been additional lsgislation," said
Senafor Cummins. THE President
has absolute power to nx the wages
Of All railway employees. through the
railroad administration. The govern.
ment 10 the employer: II can hire. IT
can discharge, ana Il can determine
There 10 no question whatever a. to
the Presidents power In that regard,
The President also can NJ tho rates
that shall be charged for tfanspofta-
tion. He can increase the rates II 1t
is necessary to. meet the charges of
operation"
Duty Of President 70 Use Power.
!. rs It not more than, power. that
the President has? said Senator Lon.
fooe 6f wis6otsifi., "Does not the duty
deyolve upon the President 70 use
gssns.or oysrnian Of Norm cafolin.
asked II e was not . fact that Con-
9roes had taieey. away from the Pfesi.
dent power 70 initiate rates. a..
true that the Esnats parsed bill
month ago swing the interstate Com
msrco Commission authority to sus-
pend RATES initiated BY the President
or the director GENERAL Of railroads,
but that bill has not passed the House.
Il was only reported 70 the House
yesterday. But even II the bill had
become q law the President would
still have authority ~ well a. the
duty Of hxing wages. and the power
Of Initiating rates would still lie with
the President and the director general
Of railroads"
1Gr. Yomsrsns's Declaration.
Senator Pcmerene. democrat. said
that IL looked to him - though 1t
was the desire Of the railroad admin
istYation to pass the responsibility Of
this situation 20 Congress.
II am not the director general OF
ratlroeds, said Senator Pomerene,
but II were would have the cour.
age to say there ought or there ought
not to be an increase in railroad
wages, or ! would resign"
Blocks Plans for Recess.
In the House Representative 1goe.
democrat, Missouri, again blocked plans
Of leaders for q recess by insisting that
the House consider his measure d.
fecting the Federal Trade Commits
sion to investigate the rising prices
of shoes. Leaders said no business
would be undertaken during the next
two weeks, only routine sessions be-
Ing held.