Grand Forks herald., 1919-09-02

ship And Operation OF
Roads Under Strict Gov
ernment Control.
. Washington. Sept. 2.-Private own
ership and operation of railroads in a
number of regional systems under
strict government control with strikes
and lockouts of railroad employees pro-
hibited, is the plan for permanent rail-
road regulation submitted to the SEN
ate today by the Interstate commerce
sub-committee
] A tentative bill embodying the sub
committees recommendations have
been introduced by Chairman Cum
minis and referred to the full interstate
commerce committee. The bill is the
result of many months of hearings
and work by the subcommittee
which, besides Mr.. Cummins, included
Senators Kellogg of Minnesota and
Poindexter of Washington, Republi-
cans, and Pomerene Of Ohio, and
Robinson Of Arkansas. Democrats.
Provisions of Bill.
Salient provisions Of the Cummins
bill include: A
Termination of government control
and return Of the railroads to private
ownership on the last day of the
month of enactment.
Establishing the interstate COM
merce commission with greatly in
creased powers, as the supreme body
over railroad affairs.
Supervision and control of virtually
all railroad affairs, including rates,
wages, operation and financing by the
government
Creation of new railway trans
portatiot1 board of Ave members ap-
pointed by the president to supervise
railway development and operations,
subject to final action of the interstate
commerce commission.
Creation of a new committee on
wages and working conditions, COM
posed equally of representatives, en-
ployes and employers, with wide au-
thority in settling labor questions.
subject to decision Of the transporaA-
ton board and interstate commerce
commission.
Prohibiting strikes and lockouts OF
railroad employees, under fine and fu1-
prisonment penalties t.6 n
Defining new policy tor concentra-
Non in ownership afxs III opera ton. fOf
-yaufoads with federSl tnccrporation,
into not less than twenty snorrsmors
than IS regional systemk
No guarantee by the government OF
future railroad income. but limitations
made upon revenue to fair divi-
dends based on value of properties FIX
ed by the interstate commerce COM
mission.
would Cancel Contracts.
The bill provides that existing rail-
road payment contracts with the gov
ernmeft shall be- continued not longer
than four months and that present
rates shall continue until changed by
with provisions looking to immediate
action toward ireadjustment.
The keynote of the sub-committee's 3
bill, Chairman Cummins stated in an
explanation to the senate Is the plan
for establishment Of 20 to IS regional
rail systems ,"+ p"
10 Settle Disputes.
The new method for settling labor
disputes is in a proposed committee
of wages and working conditions, SEN
ator Cupmins said, adding:
"It creates a committee of wages
and working conditions which 10 to
be composed of eight members, four
representing labor and four represent
ing the railway companies.
'The committee and transportation
board shall take into consideration the
scale Of wages paid for similar kinds
of work in other industries; the re-
lation between wages and the cost OF
living; the hazards Of the. employ
ment; the training and skill required;
the degree of responsibility and the
character and regularity Of the en-
ployment."
Another provision Of the bill re-
must have among their directors two
representatives Of their classified
employees" and also two directors rep
resenting the government
Another clause would create
through the new transportation board
an employees advisory council COM
posed Of Representatives Of each or
to use one-half Of excess earnings Of
companies above their fair divi.
dends for the benefit Of employees.
The other half Of excess earningl
would be used by the transportation
board to buy equipment for lease te
the companies or for equipment loans
The bill provides that the interstate
commerce commission shall divide the
country into rate-mAking districts
hold regional hearings and FIX nav
rates with regard to public and ship.
pers' interests, wages OF labor, cosl
Of maintenance and operation ana e
fair return upon the value OF prop.
erty'' to be fixed by physical valua-
The transportation board would es
tablish the policy of establishing ~
to IS regional railway. systems undei
federal Incorporation. for distinct 0p
GRAFTON under competitive conditions
street and interurban railways prin.
cipally used for passenger rtradil
would be exempted from guch con.
solidations which would have to bs
approved by the interstate commerce
commission The boards power,
would include general supervision o.
nnerating and financing of railroads
including extensions. administratiol
~ the car service and safety appli
ance laws, diversion OF tran1c, pooling
~ eouipment, joint use Of terminals
and other matters.
Comhanas3on Allowed. s
z ror seven years, under the bill, 70
,rntary combip4tippS Of the carrier,
4 conformancA with the b0Ard'4 DlaI
Honld be permitted. II not yolantar
isv combined In seven years the boars
rnuld require compulsory cons0lidA
~, nnder federal charter and EbA1e,
nnnn actual physical valuAt tion.i
T,ha bill also pfovio NJ for rGgulAtiol
~ rsilroad stock and bond ingues y.
tha Interstate commerce. C0mmtaGaol
Ana for increased rate making powers
Gnvernment approval sof new lines q
sTtenajons would bs required.
Diyision Of com paniee frame N.
s35i y. .. sntrra9 IN II authoytsoa by Ah0 61l