Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1919-11-20
ESCH R. R. BILL
PASSED IN HOUSE
Provides for Private Ownership
and Operation of all Rail Car
riers Under Broad Federal
Supervision
VOTE IS 2O3 TO 159
For LnbOr Troubles the Bill Wouid
Set Up Machinery in Vogue Before
and During Federal Control--No
Penalty for strikes or Lock -outs

Washington. Nov l7.--The Esch railroad
bill providing for private ownership and
operation of rail carriers under broad
federal supervision was passed tonight
by the House, 203 to $50. The measure
goes TO the Senate, but 1t will not be
taken up there until the regular session
in December.
A majority Of the democratic members
opposed the bill after their failure to
eliminate the provision for government
guarantee of revenues of the carriers
for the first six months Of renewed private
operation.
Representative Sims Of Tennessee, rank
ing democratic member of the House tn
terstate commerce committee that framed
the measure. led tho fight on the guar
anty declaring 1t a Subsidy" A motion
to eliminate it was defeated, 200 to 165,
on substantially political division.
The House reaffrmed, 253 to liz, its
stand on the labor sections providing only
, for the voluntary Cancellation OF labor
disputes.
Among the several provisions Of the
measure is one which provides capital
and insures the financial future Of the
lines during the period Immediately after
{ private operation is renewed: creates ma
chnery for the voluntary Cancellation Of
labor troubles; and extends federal
authority over rail transportation by in
creasing the powers of the Interstate
commerce cor mission.
Federal control would end with the
month in which the bill is enacted and
rates continued in effect for six months
unless changed. Roads are ordered to
ask the interstate commerce commission
for general rate advances within GO days
and government guaranty is denied car
riers failing to do SO.
AS a guaranty the government agrees
that the revenues Of the carriers for the
first six months of renewed private opera
ton shall equal the standard return paid
during federal control as rental for :he
use of the lines. Short line railroads and
express companies would also receive this
guaranty.
Government five-year loans at six per
cent. also may be obtained by the lines
within &c months after the end Of federal
control and to carry out the provision
$3.50 100000 is made available.
The funding plan for settlement OF
ST., 900, 600, the roads will owe the govern
ment at the end of this year provides for
Il set off Of approximately si0o. 900. the
I amount of government rental. Payment
of this unliquidated Indebtedness would
be in ten annual instalments.
/ For settlement Of labor troubles the
bill would set up machinery in vogue be-
fore and during federal control for EN-
ploye and employer voluntarily conduct
ing negotiations with an added provision
for second or appeal board to reach
decisions if the former fails. No penalty
Is provided against strike or lockout and
on all boards the workers and the rail-
owners would have equal representation
The bill would give the Interstate Com
merce Commission jurisdiction Of use,
control, movement. distribution and ex-
change of locomotives and cars. and sup
ply, movement and operation of trains
and extension or abandonment Of rail lines