Evening journal., 1919-09-02
U. S. SUPERVISION
OF PRIVATE RAILS
ConlInued irom ~ page.

Continued from First page.
subcommittee to the Senate interstate
commerce committee.
While many Ideas in the Plumb plan
arc incorporated In modified form, the
bin embodles also ideas OF railroad ex-
ecutves and nnancicrs as well. The
ant-strike provisions aroused most
comment Whether organized labor
VIII accept thls even with the recogni-
tion IL gels in management OF tho roads
will be the paramount question In
Congress.
IN a statement Today, senator Cum
Minis explained the anti-slriko section
In detail.
This section Imposes a penalty OF
fine or Imprisonment. or both upon
any carrier or any officer 0f any car
rlcr who refuses 20 obey the decisions
OF The committee ION wages aud work
ing conditions after 10 has been ap-
proved by The board railway trans
poriati0n board. senator Cummins
stated.
n also provides that IL two or more
persons enter into any combination or
agreement which substantially hiuders,
restralns or prevents the movement on
commodities or persons In interstate
commerce, such persons, so combining
and agreeing shan be deemed guilty OF
a conspiracy and shall be punished hy
fine not exceeding $500 or by impris-
onmeni not exceeding six months, or by
both nne and Imprisonment; provided.
that nothing herein shall be taken 10
deny any individual the right 90 quit
his employment FOR any reason. 10 Will
be observed that this section applies
equally 10 the officers or managers OF
railway companies and their employees
The intent is TO prevent any substan-
,tial interruption 10 transportation and
the effect OF II is 10 forbid not only
what Is commonly known as a lockout.
but also what is commonly known as
strike OF the employees OF a railway
company. 70 must be remembered that
the bill, IN forbiddng a strike, or COM
bnaiion for a strike has also pro-
vided for the settlement OF an disputes
by government tribunal
The bin specified that money adj
vanced by the government 10 railroads
during the period OF Federal control
shall be converted into bonds bearing
six per cent. interest
Precautions against Waiered stock
are taken by requiring that capltallza-
ti0n OF the roads shall DE limited to
the actual value as determined by the
Interstate Commerce Commission.
The railway transportation board Is
TO consist OF i've members appointed
by the President, at a salary Of $1,000
Reorganization OF the 20 90 80 com
petliive systems called for would not
begin Tor seven years during which
time the board would be working out
its plan subject 20 approval OF the In
tersiate Commerce Commission
Rate fixing powers remain with the
Interstate Commerce Commission.
The committee on wages and working
conditions would be composed OF four
representatives of employees and four
OF the railway companies. In cases OF
deadlOcks. decision would be made by
the railway board This board appoints
the wage commission. selecting from
nominations presented by employees and
the companies.
Coordination oi land and water trans
portatlon is iO DE controlled by the rail-
way board which has authority 90 com
pei connections so as 90 utilize water
transportation % the fullest extent.
Labor and anli-sirike provisions In
the Cummins bin are intended 20 secure
Justice for the employees and protect
the public's Interest at the same time.
senator Robinson, Arkansas declared
today In a speech 20 the senate.
q There IS no purpose 20 Oppress or
permit the oppression OF the employees
OF railroads. Robinson said "On the
contrary the bin is intended 10 secure
10 them their Just rights Having done
this, ii cannot be considered unfair 20 |
protect the public against the dangers Z
OF strikes and lockouS-"