Republican farmer., 1919-09-05

1 governmental judgment with respect to the matters in controversy. Tt provides that the committee and | transportation board shall take into consideration the scale of wages paid for similar kinds of work in other in- l dustrles; the relation between wages and the cost of living; the hazards of the employment: the training and skill required; the degree of respon- sibility and the character and regu- larity of the employment"
 Another provision of the bill re- qWres that railroad corporations must nave among their directors two rep
 reSentatives of their classified em- ploTes" and also two directors repre- sentiAE the government
 Another clause would create
 through the new transportation board.
 an employee advisory council conp- posed of representatives of each ocs Eanlzed craft Of railroad employees t,c use one-half of excess earnings of companies, above their "fair' divi- l beHdS, Tor the benefit of employees, in reseahch to lessen hazards of employ Hent, extension of hospital relief. in- surance and pension; technical ed1lca- 1 ton of employees and to a profit shar- ing system for employees. The other ! half of the excess earnings vyould ha DF NAAC u dIlSpOI LdllOn DOaTQ 10 1 Duy equipment for lease to the com panles or for loans
 | pon passage of the ac-, the bill provides that the Interstate Com lherce Committee shall divide the | country Into rate making districts. mold regional hearings and fix new
 rates with regard to public and shippers interests, wages of labor cost or living and operation and "a 1alr return upon the value of the property to be fixeN by physical ,aIuaIoh or the commission and to ! lower or raise rates in conformity. The transportation board would i provide the policy of establishing 20 i 10 33 regional railway systems under | federal incorporation, for distinct | operation under competitive conoI- ! uons. Street and interurban railways l pflnclpalIy used for passenger traf- | TIC would be exempted from such i consultations which would have to | be approved by the interstate com ! merce commission. The boards DOW ! CTS would include general supervi 1 sion over operating and financing of i railroads. including extensions, ad- : ministration of the car service and i safety appliance laws. diversion of ] traffic, pooling of equipment. joint
 
 For seven years under the bill. the voluntary cornm;"rt ms of the ca rriers ] in conformance '...h the boards plan 1 would be permitted. If not volun- | tarily combined in seven years. the , board could require compulsory con- i hscatiOn under federal charter and l based upon actual physical valuation The bill also provides for regula- l tion of railroad stock and bond issues | by the Interstate Commerce Comnis- ! sion and for increased rate making ! powers. Government approval of new lines or extensions would be re- quired
 Division of compa nies' traffic and earnings also is authorized by the bill under authority of the commission which would be empowered to require
 connections between rail and water
 carriers.
 Broader authority over rates is giv-
 en te commission, which is clothed with full authority to remove any un- i just discrimination against interstate
 and foreign commerce with power to | inquire into intrastate rates affecting
 interstate commerce, in cooperation with state commissions.
 In closing up relations with the government and railroads under the vides that advances of capital made by the railroads shall be evinced" i by bonds payable in five years at five per cent. interest and other indemni- ! ties by demand notes at six per cent.