The Topeka state journal., 1919-12-20
Final Vote on Three Important
Measures Scheduled Today.
Cummins Railway and Defi-
cheney Bills This Afternoon.
Be NO MESSAGE FROM WILSON
Senators Weary With Night
Sessions Anxious for Recess.
Impression General Railways
Won't Be Returned by Jan. 1.

Washington. Dec. 20.-The house
today sent to the president the bill ex-
tending powers of the sugar eauali-
zation board thru the year 1920. It
accepted the amendment of the SEN
ate to end the licensing system Of pro-
ducers and large users of sugar on
July l, 1920.
Washington Dec. 20.-By a vote OF
so to II, the senate today adopted the
compromise on the bill to continue
government control of sugar during
1920, accepting house amendments in
creasing authority of the United
States sugar equalization board. bv
limiting its licensing powers to next
June 80.
measures set for final vote in the SEN
ate today. The Cummins railway bill
and the emergency deficiency bill are
both scheduled for the wind-up this
afternoon- The vote on the railway
bill will be taken at $40 o'clock this
afternoon. according to the decision of
the senate last night.
The senators are wearied with many
night sessions of late and are anxious
to dispose of the important business
before them so that they may take a
holiday rest. starting tonight. Most of
them are ready to board their trains
for some as soon as the last vote is
taken this afternoon.
Congress will go home for the
Christmas holidays without hearing
from President Wilson as TO the time
for the return of the railroads, il hav-
ing been announced at the White
House that no message on the subject
would be sent TO the capitol TODAY.
Before the announcement was made a
report that the president would send
q message late today had gained wide
circulation among senators and repre-
sentatiyes. The president apparently
has not communicated his decision as
to the ending of government control to
any of the administration officials but
most of them believe the roads will
not be turned back by January /.
Three Points OF Variance.
Passage of the Cummins bill by the
senate will put before the house and
senate conferees two radically differ
ent measures There are three chief
points of variance between the Esch
measure for railroad control. which
the house passed, and the CunImins
bill These are:
decentralization of railroad srs-
TENS. Cumminss act provides for
compulsory consolidation OF ali rail-
roads in the country into not less than
twenty. nor more than thirty-five sys-
TENS. to be under the general direc-
ton of a transportation board of five
and confirmed by the senate This
board has extensive powers and du-
ties, being in effect the general man
ager" of the railroads.
The Esch bill provides for "permis-
sive consolidation" and does not try
to fix any specific number of rail sys-
TENS. General supervision is left to
the Interstate commerce commission.
2-Rate making The Cummins
bill divides the country into seven rate
Lit.
rates shall be such as will insure the
roads a return of 5 y per cent on the
aggregate property value Of the lines
within a given zone or region. Pro-
vision is made for payment to the
government of the earnings in excess
of the 5 " rate. The Esch bill leaves
rate making powers as at present with
the interstate commerce commission.
3-Labor clauses. The Cummins
measure sets up committee on wages
and working conditions composed OF
four representatives of the employees
and four of the employers. When this
board cannot settle dispute. it is re-
ferred to the transportation board.
whose decision is final. Strikes OF
railroad employees are prohibited and
penalties provided for assisting in orr
ganizing strikes or assisting strikers.
Vote on Three Measures.
The Esch bill sets up Ella aborate ma
tion. The purpose, trainers Of the
Esch measure said. was to let the pub
lie opinion become the most potent
force in preventing rail strikes. A la
Dor adjustment board Is cree ted,
! formed OF representatives of employ
ers and employees. to investigate dis
putes and report to the president and
to board of labor appeal. made up
of three groups. representing the em-
ployes. the carriers and the public.
This body may make decisions but
cannot enforce them.
Under the concurrent agreement. the
senate last night fixed the time for
voting today on the Cummins railroad
and sugar control bills two Of the three
measures which threatened TO prevent
the recess. The third. the s33. 900. 900
urgency deficiency bin including $780,
00O.0O for increased war risk insur-
mace allowances. was passed last night.
The final vote on the sugar bill con-
tinuing governmental control over SUI
gar during 1920 was set for early to-
dzV