The daily Gate City and constitution-Democrat. (Keokuk, Iowa) 1916-1922, 1919-08-06
NATIONAL.
RAILROAD
PA|GN
Labor v 50 Government to
Buy A ) 5 and Conduct
in the
iture.
HOSTILITY TO THE IDEA
Naturalization Plan to he Campaign
Issue In 1920 II II 10 Turned
Down Now by
Conurees.
HOSTILITY TO THE IDEA
rBy L. c. Martin, United Press Staff

[By L. c. Martin, United Press Stan
Correspondent
| WASHINGTON, Aug. 6.-Labor's
campaign in behalf of national1za-
tion of the railroads was to begin to-
day in congress. Representatives OF
the workers were to appear before
| the interstate commerce committee
| in behalf of the Sims bill which en-
bodies the Plumb plan for govern
ment ownership of railroads and
operation, shared by the public, the
Iemployes and the present manage
ment.
| At the same time there were
strong indications that the senate
! commerce committee was preparing
to negative President Wilson's re-
quest for legislation he regards
necessary for creation of wage
board to pass on the railroad work
ers demands for revision OF condi-
tions SO wages shall more nearly
approximate the cost Of living.
| A special subcommittee, appointed
yesterday to decide whether an in
vestigation of the wage situation
was advisable was ready to report
late today to the full senate commit
/, tee. While subcommittee members
declined to reveal their report in ad-
vance, they showed a disposition,
shared by majority Of the full COM
mittee, to indicate to the president
the belief he has now all the power
Il he needs both as to wages and
rates. Warren S. Stone, head of the
Brotherhood of Locomotive EngI-
neers; Glenn e. Plumb, author of
the Plumb plan, and Frank Morrison,
! ~ or fn
argue labors cause. 1t was reported
also that A B. Garretson had left a
| sick bed and would appear today in
/ support of the Sims bill.
Sharp questioning Of the labor
men was expected as committee
members are not generally friendly
| to the Plumb plan. The local rep
resentatives had prepared careful
| statements of their case and were
ready, they said, to answer any ques-
| tions.
They fully appreciate, Plumb said
today, the hostility to their idea in
! the present congress. But he made
| it plain also that if this congress
does not accept the workers pro-
| posal 1t may be possible to elect
congress that will. Friends Of the
naturalization plan declare it will
! be made an issue in tho 1920 cam
paign if necessary.
Opposition to labor's program was
voiced today by the United States
chamber of commerce, which an
nounced a referendum OF business
men throughout the country showed
| 80 percent oppose it. It would cost
/ $40 0,OO0,0O0,00 to buy the railroads,
the chamber declared
Industrial Freedom.
! tBy L. C. Martin, United Press Staff
Correspondent
WASHINGTON, Aug g. = Labor
will "go to the people" with it's de-
nand for naturalization of the rail
roads and will attempt to create
strong public sentiment to force
adoption of this plan, if congress re-
fuses it now, Warren S. Stone, grand
! chief Of the Brotherhood of Locomo-
tive Engineers told the house inter
state commerce committee today.
Stone presented to the committee
the so-called Plumb plan for govern
ent ownership Of the lines, whereby
they would be operated for the bene-
fit Of their employees and the public.
What would be your action If this
committee should not adopt the
Plumb plan Of government owner
ship?" asked Chairman Esch.
"Our action would be to try to
create enough sentiment throughout
the country to compel congress to
adopt the pian,' Stone replied.
"Would you seek it through striker
queried Esch.
mo, sir, l don't believe the broth
erhoods would, although l am speak
; ing largely for the locomotive engi
/ neers. Reduction of the high cost