The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1919-12-13
DIAL. CRITlClSES
RAILROAD BILL
Says Some of the Provisions
Are Dreams and Il
lusions
: ALSO FINDS FAULT
WITH ORGANIZED LABOR
ALSO FINDS FAULT
WITH ORGANIZED LABOR
Opposes Underwriting of Roads
By Government as Entrance
(. Into Paternalism

ashington. Dec. 9.-Given 4 re-
newed opportunity by restoration Of
the measure to the committee of the
whole, senate critics of the Cummins
railroad bill today launched a new
and heated attack on various provis-
ions of the legislation designed to
meet conditions incident to the forth
coming return OF the railroad prop
critics
Senator LaFollette Repub, can, Of
Wisconsin, and Senator Dial. Demo
crat. Of South Carolina, led the re-
newed attack, and their discussion OF
the bill occupied virtually the entire
session.
The result at the adjournment was
that the measure was no nearer pass
age. Leaders, however. expressed hope
tonight that a final vote would be
reached before the enc of the week.
During the debate today Republican
leaders of the senate and house con-
.ferred regarding holiday recess plans,
and leaders Of the lower branch were
assured that there is every prospect
of having the railroad legislation sent
to conference before the holiday re-
cess, planned to begin December 20.
ls:na1 enactment of the legislation is
not probable the leaders agreed, until
after congress reconveneS next month
Confidence was expressed by the con-
ferees, however, that President Wilson
would await enactment Of the legis!a-
ton in January before turning back
the properties.
Director General Hines has COM
pleted his report TO President Wilson
on his recent conference with Chair
men Cummins and Esch, Of the senate
and house committees. respectively.
There was no intimation of the lnfor-
nation containued IL the report.
In his attack on the bill Senator ! n
Toilette opposed immediate return OF
the railroads to private ownernl1ip as
impracticable, urged five-year extern
sion Of government control and
charged that the pending measure was
virtually for the benefit Of the rail
roads:
; The senate tomorrow is expected tt
reach an. amendment introduced late
today by Senator Myers. Democrat, Of
Montana, eliminating provisions au-
thoEizing two employees and two rep
reseptatipes Of the public to be mem
berso of the boards of directors Of each
railroad company.
The. railroad bill was opposed in
the senate today by Senator Dial.
Democrat. of South Carolina. who
characterized some Of its provisions
as dreams and illusions" and also
iinpracticable He found fault es-
pecialIy with the plan for specifying
a return of 5 II per cent upon the
investment to the railroads. which. he
said, means the underwriting by the
government of the railroad securities
Of this country. Such plan means
this country's entrance into pateTnal-
ism. said Senator Dial. who said ne
doubted the constituuonaiitE of the
provision Should this be done, he
declared. the government would be
honor bound hereafter to keep up
a return possible.
Creation Of a transportation board
was also opposed by Senator Dial.
who declared that the provisions II
the bill, providing for two railroad en-
pIoyes to be members of the board of
directors Of the various companies
would conflict with laws in various
States which prohibit persons from
serving as directors Of corporations IN
which they are not fnancial:" inter
ested. The South Carolina Senator
criticized the general tendency Of ;a-
Dor TO demand increased pay for less
work, declaring it is time the peo-
pic Of this country who do something.
who have something aud who pay
taxes to be heard from.