Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1919-08-03
CONTROL
OF ROADS ASKED
Tennessee Congressman Offers
Bill With Brotherhood's
Suggestions.
PROVIDES FIFTEEN DIRECTORS
Senators Agree 1t Is Essential to
Establish a National
Policy.
tBy Associated PressI

WASHINGTON, August 2-Govern-
ment ownership OF tho railroads IS
proposed in a bill introduced today
BY representative Sims. Dcmocra;,
plan which has been Endorsed by the
rouT raih.o brotherhooda and Tho
A a.bicr federation of Labor and
Plumb.
In a statement accom- nying the
measure. Representative Sims said IL.
enactment would establish harmony
between the public interest. the wage
long step, toward solving the sigh
transportation charges.
Provides for Directorate.
Under, the bill operating control OF
directorate Of fifteen. five appointed by
the President five by operating officials
Snd c nne h by SsmpSyeses Holders of .
would issue for the purchase of the
lines and the employees would share
equally in the. earnings of the roads.
Labors railroad bill has tho pur-
pose of reducing the cost OF living by
operating the most important industry
III the country for service rather than
Tor PROFIT said statement on tho
Sims bill by the heads Of the railroad
brotherhoods made public here today.
Dor faces persistent!y serious
S ,bn i, due h 70 the cost Of LIVING AM
pace with the depreciation OF money
No fundamental changes arc being
advanced 10 save workers from con-
tinual defeat in the economic struggle
OF life. The railroad employee. are
in no mood to brook the return Of tho
lines 10 their former control, since all
ment Of the, problem leave labor -
sentia!y where il has stood. and
where it is determined not 10 stand.
Asserts Value Counts.
We realize that in the strife for
wage Increases we cannot win any
but value which counts. The vicious
circle is infinite; increased wages are
over capitalized, for inflated profits
than the wage level. 4 few grow
wealthy and the multitude is impov-
crished
the railroads. .;ot only have We W, sui.
Tered from Inadequate wages, but the
public has paid an eXtortionate tax
dor transportation: a tax based on In
mated values and collected from every
person buying The necessaries Of life.
President Wilson declared in his
message of May 20. 1919, for the gem
une characterization of industry. based
upon full recognition of the right O {
those who work. in whatever rank, TO
parsicipate in some organic way in
every decision which directly affects
their welfare in the part they are to
play in industry He spoke plainly in
oehalf OF genuine cooperation and
partnership based upon real commun-
ny OF interest and participation in
control.
Asks Share OF Surpius.
TT has been argued that labor is
merely asking the public TO let tho
workers become the railroad protiteers
In place of Wall Street. This argu-
ment cannot survive scrutiny of our
proposal
We do not ask for share of the
surplus. at the end of each year, after
operating costs are met and fixed
charges are paid But we also pro-
Nlde an automatic reduction in wages
when this surplus comes TO a given
level To restore the surplus the en-
ployees OF the railroads must increase
the e''lciency OF their management
ana they must invite new business"