Evening capital news. (Boise, Idaho) 1901-1927, 1919-12-20
Senate READY
FOR BALLOT 0N
Two measures
Anxious to Clear Up Sugar md
Railroad Bills In Order To-
Adjourn Late This After
noon.



Washington, Dec. 2o-Tho eoNs
ate late today passed the cumsNIno
railroad bill providing Ter retsrn
Of the railroads TO private evvnss-
ship and control. The bill new 0ooo
to oonferenoe with the houoe,
which some time age paoood the
Esch bill.
The vote vas - - -
ButLgTIiA
Washington, Dse. 2o-1he hesee
today cent - the preeldent tlso blM
equalization bosrd thrsush ~ yser
1920. II accepted the ansendHseNt
Of the senate to end the Ileegsine
system Of producers and large
ussrs OF sugar on July !, 1e2a
Warrington. Dec. 1O.-Ths senate to-
day rushed final consideration of the
Cummins railroad bill and the sugar
control bill 30 the way may be cleared
for the Christmas adjournment.
Senators, many Of them weary A.
= result Of the session which lasted
until very late last night, gathered
early at the capitol ready for the final
legislative drive Of 1918. Most OF
them were ready to board homcward
bound trains as soon AZ the pending
bills are disposed Of. According to
agreements made last night the senate
at 1890 was to vote on the sugar CON-
troll bill and at p. M on the Cum-
mins. railroad bill.
Expedition of work on the latter
measure made IT appear likely that
President Wilson would not send : 4
railroad message to congress until afts
or the holiday recess.
4 Passage OF the Cumming bill ~ tha
senate will put before tho houUo uyld
senate conferees two radically &1fkef>
ent measures. There are throo e1lo<
points OF variance betwoen t13o Xoc31
message for railroad control which the
house passed and the Cumminr bill.
These are: "A
/. Consolidation of railroad sys-
TENS. Cumming act provided for
compulsory consolidation Of al rail-
roads in the country into less than 20
| or moro than 80 systems, under the
general direction Of . board ok five
members nominated by the pessident
and confirmed by the senate. This
board has extensive powers and du'-
ties. being In effect tho general man.
ager" of the railroads.
The Esch bill provides for 'permio-
sive consolidation" and does not Try tc
| fix any specific number Of rail syHtemo
General supervision 10 left to the inter
state commerce commtssion.
2-Rate Making. The Cummins bll
divides the country into seven rat1
making regions and provides that thu
rates shall be such ~ viii Insure tn
roads a return OF 6M per cent en thu
aggregate property value Of the liuei
within given zone or region. Pro
vision is made for payment to the gov'
ernment Of earnings In excess of tn
/ 5h per cent rate. The Esch bill leaveI
rate making powers ~ at present wifJ
the interstate commerce continuation
3--Labor Clauses. The Cumm1ni
measure sets UP q COMMITTEES on waee'
and working conditions composed .
four representatives of the employel
and four OF the. employers. When TIL
board cannot settle . disputA e r -
ferred to the transportation boAE6
whose decision In final. Strikes o8 ~.
railroad employees are prohibttee a.
penalties provided for assisting tn o.
ganizing strikes or assisting stx1kera
/ The Esch bill sets up elaborato ma'
chinery for consultation and arbitraface