The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1919-12-20
President Wilson Not YET M;a.dc
Up His Mind About Re-
turn Of Railroads
LABOR FAVORS
GOVERNMENT CONTROL
Request Presented That Gov
ernment Retain Control For
Two Years Longer

Washington. Dec l7-President
/ Wilson's mind is still open on the
question Of returning the raiiroad:;
to private c, ntrol, Secretary Tunu!ty
| today. told a delegation representing
union labor ana some farmers organ
izations which called at the White
House to present a letter asking the
executive to delay return Of the roads
! for TWO years.
! This was the first authoritative ex-
preston on the subject which had
! come from Administered lion quarters
| since the president informed congress
last May that he planned TO reiinquisll
federal control by January l. The
president. Mr. Tumulty said, would be
glad to get the views Of the labor and
farmer representatives who insisted
that a fair test of government opera
ton in peace time should be given.
While the delegation was at the
White House the senate was speed
ing up consideration of the Cummins
railroad bill and apparently wa
nearing aMnal vote after more than
week Of debate. Under the meas
ure the roads would be returned 20
their owners within 80 days after the
bill becomes a law, but there was no
prospect that final enactment CT any
railroad legislation would be complet-
ed until we'll after the Christmas ho:i-
days owing 20 differences between the
senate and house.
Il
the union labor and farmers deleGa-
ton, which included President Comp
ers OF the American Federation OF
Labor and representatives OF the
railroad brotherhoo6s, called OF Sen
ator Cu1nniins, chairman OF the GEN
ate interstate commerce committee,
.andAasssed that his bill be withdrawn
Ee indicated that lie would. lay The
request ;,efore The full committee.
The letter from tie lahor and farm /!
@rs delegation TO the :,cesi;iert said
proponents Of the CuEan..l:s bill claim
ea that tho president planned 20 He-
turn the reads ty January and that
some legislation providing foc such
return mast be enacted Immediately.
We believe that this assertion IS
great injustice to you continued
he letter. "As YOU doubtless know,
an overwhelming majority OF the
farmers, and the members Of the
American Federation Of Labor and
the railroad brotherhoods. as we'll as
the general public. favcr an exten-
sion of the period OF government op-
eraticn os the railroads for al least
TWO years, iii order tl:a. n far test
may have been made OF government
operation 2ni u pi;.., l:ss. oe worked
CO, Ter tie ultimate disHo:2' Of tie
railroads which wou,d .,c ta;r to all
Interests involved
! During the day J. ". Howard, rep
resent;ng the American Farm Bu-
reau federation made pubic a letter
which he had sent 70 Senator Cum
Minis TRANSMITTING: resolutions adopt
ed by the federation al Chicago last
month demanding the early return
Of the railroads TO private control
under such conditions and regulations
as Will render adequate service a.
just and equitable rates"
Ely vote d % to 90 the senate
/ adopted an amendment b. Senator
FreIinghuysen. Republican. providing
/ for a revolving fund OF $500. 100000
from, which the government could
F: make leans for the rehabilitation Of
railroads upon their retuIa to pri-
vate OWL ne-ship.
: The anti-strike provisions were
considered briefly tonight but went
! over until tomorrow. Senator Cunlmins
tried to secure unanimous consent
agreement 10 vote on the anti-strlke
clauses at neon tomorrow but cbjec-
! ton was made By Senator Harrison.
! Democrat. Mississippi, because con-
s:deration Of sugar relief bill would
/ be put OFF.
A substitute for the ant;-strike
I clauses was introduced by Senator
Mccormick. Republican. Illinois, ans
will be considered tomorrow. His
plan is sim;laI 20 the Canadian law
and would prohibit strikes OF lock-
outs Of employees until SO days afta~
decisions by an arbitration board. The
Mccormick plan also would require
the arbitration board 20 dispose Of ali
controversies within 90 days.
Senator Mccormick declared that
the Cunlmins anti-strike provisions
were a dangerous precedent and
doomed 70 defeat but Senator Cum
Minis said that American labor iead-
crs were more opposed to the Ca
madam system than to the provisions
of the pending bill.
Another substitute similar to thc
Canadian plan also was introduced by
Senator JoHes. Democrat, New Mex
CO. and went over until tomorrow.