The Topeka state journal., 1919-12-23
RAILRoAp law MAKING.

RAILROAD LAW MAKING.
The Cummins railroad bill carrying
the anti-strike clause, has been passed
by the senate. Also it's otherwise lit
tie changed from the original draft.
features in the measure were pointed
out by The State journal at the time
the bill was introduced. Chief among
these was the provision, for setting up
various new boards and commissions.
1t seemed better that the interests
OF the government and the public in
tho transportation business should rest
in the hands of one body of men. The
experience of the government during
the period of our preparations for the
war should make this clear. Impor-
tant matters continually were being
taken from one board and turned over
to another and there was much bick-
ering and minor clashes of authority.
The Esch railroad bill was passed
by the house several weeks ago and
it is expected that the conference COM
mittees will make out of the two bills
a measure that will gain the approval
OF DOLn houses OF congress.
The Esch bill at the time OF its pas
sage was severely criticised by the
Railway Age.
'In some respects" said the Age,
"the bill is very weak, and, indeed, in
certain particulars it is no less than
vicious. It's most extraordinary provi-
sion is one relating to 1aI - contro-
s-s<
is to fix forever as minimum wages
and conditions of employment the
wages and conditions Of employment
established by the railroad administra-
ton. The provision in question con-
firms for the future all decisions of a
general character made~by the United
States railroad administration affect
ing the question of wages, hours of
service, or conditions of employment.
and also decisions applying to individ-
ual carriers, which must remain in
effect until superseded either by
agreement between the companies and
their employees, or by the decision of
a board of adjustment or a commits
sion of labor disputes each of which
shall be composed of equal numbers
OF representatives of the companies
sion it would be impossible to reduce
any wage or to change any condition
of employment fixed by the railroad
administration without previous assent
Of the representatives of the employees.
and it is needless to say that the as
sent. il it made wages or conditions of
employment less favorable to the men,
would never be given"
If the Esch bill as finally passed by
the house should become a law the
act to regulate commerce would con-
tinue to require merely that rates
shall be Just and reasonable" I'm
der the requirement that rates shall
be made just and reasonable the in
terstate commerce commission has in
the past SO regulated rates that the net
operating income OF the railways and
properties have steadily declined.
There is no reason for believing that
under this provision the commission
would regulate rates any differently in
the future from what it has in the
past. Therefore, the enactment of the
Esch bill would have no tendency
whatever to encourage increased in
vestment in railroads or the expan-
sion of railroad facilities. The rate
problem is the heart of the railroad
problem, and the Esch bill would con-
tribute almost nothing toward the So
luton Of the rate problem.
1t is the Esch bill which Senator
Capper is reported to prefer to the
Cummihs bill. against which his vote
was cast. But the Cummins bill seems
to be fairly satisfactory to the railway
men who. next to the public. are the
parties chiefly concerned. The coun-
try will welcome almost any sort of
legislation that will restore the. roads
to their owners and permit the re-
sumption of business under normal
conditions. Whatevo- shall be found
lacking can. be remedied later.