South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1919-12-18
WILSON STILL
UNDECIDED ON
RAILWAY BILL
SeC'y TumuIty Tells Labor
Officials Presidents
Mind is Open.
ANXIOUS TO OBTAIN VIEWS
by Associated Press

by Associated Press
WASHINGTON. Dec. 17-Pres't
Wilson's mind is still open on the
question OF returning the railroads
to private control. Secy Tumulty
Wednesday told a delegation repre-
senting union labor and some farm
ers' organizations 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
expression on the subject which had
come from administrative quarters
since the president informed con
gress last May that he planned to
relinquish federal control by Jan. ].
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 gov
eminent operation in peace time
should be given.
Speed Up Work.
While the delegation was at the
white house, the senate was speed
Ing up consideration OF the Cum
Minis railroad bill and apparently
was nearing final vote after more
than a week Of debate. Under the
measure the roads would be return
ed to their owners within 80 days
after the bill became law but there
was no prospect that final enact
ment of any railroad legislation
would be completed until well after
the Christmas holidays. owing to
differences between the senate and
the house.
Before going to the white house
the union labor and farmers dele
cations, which included Pres't Com
pers, OF the American Federation Of
Labor, and representatives of the
railroad brotherhoods. called on
Sen. Cummins, chairman of the SEN
ate interstate commerce committee
and asked that the bill be with
drawn. He indicated that he would
lay the request before the full COM
mittee.
Send Letter.
The letter from the labor and
farmers delegation 10 the president
said proponents of the Cummins bill
claimed that the president planned
10 return the roads by Jan. l and
that some legislation providing for
such return must be enacted imme-
diately.
We believe that this assertion is
great injustice to you" continued
the letter. ''As you doubtless know
-.
farmers and members OF the Am
erican Federation OF Labor and the
railroad brotherhoods, as well as tn e
general public, favor an extension OF
the period OF government operation
OF the railroads for at least two
years. in order that a fair test may
have been made Of government op-
GRAFTON and a plan may be worked
out for the ultimate disposal Of the
roads which would be fair 10 all in
terests involved.
Rate Increase.
Director Gen. Hines and mem
bers of the Interstate Commerce
commission have shown clearly that
the return OF the roads will involve
an increase in freight rates Of close
10 billion dollars. This increase in
rates, according TO the same author
tiles, will be reflected in an increase
IN the cost OF living of at least s4,-
000.OOO.0O0 a year, possibly $1,000
/ 600. 600. The American people can
not and should not stand such an
increase.
I'VE respectfully request. NJ.
President. on behalf OF the farm ers.
the American Federation Of Labor
and the railway brotherhoods. as
well as the general public, tbGt you
stop the rumors that you plan TO re-
turn the roads 10 private control and
that In view Of the changed condi-
tions and the prevalent labor un-
rest, you re-establish public conf
dence by advocating that the period
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