The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1919-12-18
NILSSON READY
| TOHOLD ROADS
residents Mind Still Open on
Question of Returning the
Railroads to Owners.
Unions PRESENT LETTER
compers Urges Lines Be Given
Fair Test Under Govern
ment Peacetime Control.

/ Washington, Dec. 17-President
Wilson'S mind is still open on the
suestion of returning the railroads to
priyate control, Secretary Tumulty
today told a delegation representing
anion labor and some of the farmers
rganizations, which called at the
White House to present a letter ask
ne the president to delay the return
| If the roads for two years. This was
he first authoritative expression on
The subject since the president an
pounced last May that he intended to-
return the roads January l.
The president. Tumulty said, would
| be glad to get the views of the dele
cation, which insisted on a fair test
| Of government operation in peace
time
Protesting against the enactment of
he Cummins railroad bill, now be-
fore the senate. Samual Gompers,
president of the American Federation
of Labor, and representatives of the
railroad brotherhood, together with
spokesmen for some farmers trgan-
zations. today urged Chairman Cum
mins of the senate Interstate com
merce committee to withdraw the
measure and give government opera
ton of the roads a fair and thorough
peace time test.
The brotherhood representatives an
nounced they planned to go to the
White House during the day to urge
President Wilson to use his Influence
against the passage of the bill.
Senator Cummins said he had no
authority to withdraw the bill but ex-
pressed his intention of laying the re-
| quest before the full committee
Mr.. Gompers declared that organ
led labor wanted the government TO
retain control of the railroads for two
years, for the purpose of testing out
the best method for their continued
operation"
Referring to the anti strike provi-
sion of the bill. Mr. Gompers said:
Il do not know whether we are drift
ing and on that point I am apprehen-
siye. This proposal is filled with the
| gravest consequences. 1t will not stop
strikes. but will make respected citi-
zens law breakers
The Injunction against the Goa
miners, Mr.. Gompers declared die
not produce an ounce of coal
'Injunctions cannot make mer
work" he added, "and it is well to re-
member that if men cannot get justice
in otherways they will stop work and
laws which seek to prevent that can
not accomplish their purpose.
Senator Cummins replied he fully
agreed with the statement that people
could not be made to work by injunc.
ton.
George P. Hampton, managing direc-
.Or of the Farmers National Council
declared that the people of the coun-
Try and even senators and representa-
lives did not understand the railroad
bill. The senate, he said, was attempt
ing TO rush it through because of tht
belief that the president would turr
The roads back January l. A two
year time extension was what thu
farmers wanted, Hampton said.
Fred J. Chamberlain, head of th'
Washington state grange asserted tha
federal operation of the railroads, hat
failed" because men in the servic'
we're not loyal to the government. bu
10 interests that desired to get bacl
the roads"
Four-fifths of the people of tn
country, he declared. were opposed L
rushing through the Cummins bill
H. L. Willis, representing the Broth
Ehood of Locomotive Engineers, an
a number OF other speakers pleade'
for the two-year control extension an
defeat of the Cummins measure.