The sun., 1919-11-01
LABOR URGES U. 5.
TO RETAIN ROADS
Asserts Return to Owners
Means % Per Cent. Increase
of All Rates.
EXTENSION TWO YEARS
Warming Served of Determine
ton to Fight "Vicious"
Cummins Bill. -
specinr be.pafcI to Tnr suS.


WASHINGTON. Oct. 31.-Extension OF
the period Of Governmental control Of
the railroads for two years has been
asked Of Congress by the American Fed
Grafton Of Labor and representatives Of
the four railroad brotherhoods.
This proposal, with reiteration Of or
ganized labors determination to fight the
anti-strike provisions in the Cummins
railroad bill. was made last night to a
conference Of Representatives who are
members Of labor organizations. The
meeting was In the Capitol.
The labor representatives at the con-
ference were Samuel Gompers. Frank
Morrison, Matthew VOL. b. NJ Jewell.
F. Hewitt and Charles J. MACEDONIAN
OF the Federation of Labo Warren s.
Stone OF the engineers, L L. Sheppard
of the conductors. J. ]. ] Jrrester. rail-
way clerks: ]. L. Ross, railway telegra-
others, and p. l.. Mcnamara, firemen.
An official statement by those attend
ing the conference issued to-day says:
During the discussion the spokesman
of labor outlined the position of the
100000 workers they represented as
follows:
81. That American labor will exert
its influence to the utmost within the
limits of the Constitution to defeat the
vicious anti-strike provisions In the
Cummins bill and other measures OF
similar character.
"2. That in the opinion of American
labor return of the railroads to private
ownership AT this time would be a grave
mistake. Under plans proposed for the
return Of the railroads to private opera
ton It would be followed by increase
in freight and passenger rates of more
than % per cent. Either result would
shake the Industrial fabric of the nation
at the time when warsick world is
looking. for moral, financial and political
leadership.
"3. In order to avoid these calamitous
consequences the members of Congress
present were urged to introduce legis-
lation continuing Government control of
the roads for two years from the con-
clusion of peace. This will afford the
American people an opportunity to con-
slider the many solutions of the rail-
road problem which have been put for
ward.
1.-THE railroad question affects the
lives OF all the people of our country,
who should be given opportunity to ac-
quaint themselves with the various So
lutions proposed, that mature judg-
ment may DE TedCieu' Inns pioDiciI
should not be a hasty consideration and
decision.
"It was agreed that the legislation
suggested on those questions would be
drafted at the earliest possible date, and
they would be presented and pressed
very earnestly in both houses Of Con-
gress. and that every effort possible
will be made to defeat all legislation
which aims to deny to the wage workers
their rights to self-expression In mat
tiers affecting their freedom
WARRINGTON, Oct Shy unanimous
vote the Senate Interstate Commerce
Committee to-day refused to grant the
request of representatives Of the rail-
road brotherhoods that hearings be re-
opened on the anti-strike provision OF
the railroad bill, which the committee
recently reported to the Senate.