The sun., 1919-08-05

public, not primarily for profts to specu-
lators and Hnhators Of capital.
"As a means of accomplishing this
end we ask that lease be granted to
corporation created not for profit but
for public service. We ask that this
corporation be controlled In its manage
ment by an Equal representation OF the
three fundamental interests upon which
industry Is based. The public operating
managers and wage earners will then
guarantee both the integrity Of the In
vestment required for the conduct Of the
industry and that return which induces
IT by Investing, to enter the public ser
vice
The public az consumers and the OBJ
Grating managers and wage gamers az
producers having Joined in that guar
antee will then share equally all eaFn-
ings in excess Of the amounts required
to meet the guarantee.
This IL provided by granting 70 the
wage earnere and management ohe-nslf
Of these savings which they through
their perfected organizations can make
Iand by securing to the public the other
half to be enjoyed by the consumers
either by increasing the means for ser
vice without increasing flxed charges er
which the machinery then In existenoe
can render.
Thus the cost Of transportation IL
automatically reduced exactly in pro-
portion as benefits accrue to the pro-
ducers Of transportation. Increase N
earning powers Of producers under this
system cannot be reflected In increased
costs II must be balanced by decreased
costs, -
"The railroads are the key industry
Of the, nation. They affect at once ths
price OF every necessity. As increases
transportation costs are reflected IN the
increased prices of all commodi.ies W
a reduction in those costs must 20 re-
fiected by reduced prices.
I'VE say this because Of labors inter-
est as consumer, as part Of an overputs
dened public. This Fundamental stater
msnt of principle We respectfully submit
to the American people"
Clerl<s' Position Outlined.
| The position Of the International
Brotherhood Of Railway Clerks was OUT
lined In a statement from J. J. Forrester,
president. He limited that action by the
railway clerks, freight handlers, express
and station employees would be similar
to that taken by the shopmen-
A referendum, in effect strike ballot,
will be taken upon whatever reply the
, Railway Administration makes to pend
! ing demands for a wage increase and
| improved working rules. The organiza-
ton comprises 45e,0eo members
Demands for a forty-four hour week,
overtime and 20 cent an hour increase
in wages have been made, and the Broth
erhood expects definite reply imme
/ diately. A letter has gone to the Admins
istration, Mr.. Forester said to-day,
asking > hearing.
"when that reply is received he SAID
"if it is not of the nature that goes along
with the proposition we have MADE, II
will be put out to the employees imine-
diately for their action. The pressure
| from the employees for vote on the
answer Of the Railroad Administration
| Is strong, and II the demands are not
granted, and quickly granted, judging
| from, the temper OF the employees they
are likely TO follow the lead of the shop
men.
at costs the railroad clerk with a
family of FIVE as much to live as 1t does
a locomotive engineer with his family.
| Our members are in the same trap eco
| nomically as the other railroad workers.
And we ioin with them in demanding
| that unless something be done materially
TO reduce the cost of living our wages
must be raised to give US immediate re-
lief"
Expects a Conference This Week.
Mr.. Forrester stated that he expected
| a conference this week. Tha specific de-
mands beyond the wage increase and q
forty-four hour week are for punitive
overtime of time and a half, Sundays
and holidays to be ciassed as overtime
work. A sos day year Is also demanded.
land the reestablishment OF certain difer-
entails previously existing affecting
truckers and freight handlers of superior
/ rank. 1t Is demanded that the RELIEF
shall be retroactive to January 4. 1919.
| Opposition to President Wilson'S plans
| for the creation Of wage board TO
settle demands Of rail workers for in
| creased wages, with the provision that
| the board shall have greater powers
| than the Interstate Commerce Comnais-
,sTon, was evidenced to-day, when the
House Interstate and Foreign Commerce
| Committee voted TO restore to tbs Fed
eral Commission and the State commits
| sions all their pFewar powers during the
remaining period Of Federal operation
| OF thsfroads.
| The action was taken by reporting ia
4 vorably TO the House the bill OF Senator
| Cummins Iowa), which takes away
! from the President and the Director
General OF Railroads all power to put
out the specific approval of the Inter
state Commerce Commission, and In
cases where interstate rates are affected
State commissions must give their as
| sent.
The bill places the Railroad Admins
tration In Nhe sarne position as the car
riers were before Federal operation.
| During Federal operation the President
had the power 10 meet increased wage
demands by increased rates, which could
be put into effect on his own initiative.
/ The bill was reported out by a vote OF
Q TO almost on party lines, ave Demo
Gratis voting against the bill. One Demo-
orat voted for it, casting the deciding
vote with the five Republicans.
Despite the close vote there is un.
deniably strong sentiment in Congress
against any move to limit the powers OF
the Interstate Commerce Commission
For this reason the action OF the COM
mittee is considered significant.
Chairman EACH (Wis) of the House
committee said to-day that with the
present information he did not see how
he could favor the Presidents plans &c
Get up a new wage adjustment body with
! greater powers than the commission
He indicated also that he believed ths
President already had ample authority
to deal with demands of railroad work.
ers. and that Congress could accomplish
! little by setting up new agencies.
Plan Would boost Rates.
SHOULD the Presidents plans b,
enacted II is admitted by Mr.. Hines tina,
any increased wage demands the pro
, | noaAd hoa I'd might aILau the uvnrl q =,