Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1919-11-13
.EsCH RAILROAD MEASURE
D|SAPPR0VED BY LABOR
Lcuders Declare 1t Validates Eight
Billions Worth of "Shadow
DOllarS.''
SAY 1T IS RAID ON TREASURY
brotherhood Chiefs AlIcge 1t Travcsty
on Legislation Dictated by Wall
Street, Which Is Declared to Bc
Author OF Labor Features Also.
Thy Associated pressJ


WASHINGTON. Nov. 1l.-Emphati tic
disapproval of the Esch railroad re-
organization bill. now before the House,
was expressed by the chief executives
Oh the thirteen principal railroad en-
pioyees organizations today in state
ment, which declared that 80 far as
the labor provisions of tho bill arc
concerned they are more vicious. be-
cause more subtle, than the labor pro-
visions OF the Cummins bill"
The railroad workers officials in
their statement accused those who
framed the Icsch measure as being
actuated with desire ito shackle la
oor although seeking TO attain it
through maze OF legal verbiaHe."
Request was made that the railroads be
held under Fa5.tral control for an ad-
uitlonal two years, the union chiefs
declaring that labor is willing to
accept the sober judgment Of the
american voters as expressed at gem
eral election
While Endorsed by three OF the big
four brotherhoods and by ten other
railway employees organizations, the
statement failed TO receive the Indorsc-
men; Of L. e.. Shepherd. chief Of the
brotherhood Of Conductors. Mr.. Shep-
tlon that the Esch bill, although un-
satisfactory to railroad employees was
NJ mort !nimical TO them than the
Cumm!ns bill recently reported to The
Senate.
Text OF Statement
The statement issued follows:
10, The Esch bill is a conecienceless
It's supporters realize it is not tho kind
OF legislation that will bear the light
t Oh honest 2rs CRITICISM is dep.o,nstra,ed by
handled In the House.
oo 1T tn Sxaalidates ,appro1imately 500
200 goo noo Of o6o 5airoad securities at
and directs the Interstate Commcrce
Commission to tax the American pco
pie through an increase in freight and
those shadow dollars
That meane. according to Interstate
Commerce Commissioner Woollcy. a.
least Et ?? per cent increase in rates.
such an increase would take 1000,
o ooo'oo 6 from shippers and add from So
~ TO s5,oo0;ooo.oo6 TO what
life. "''af'es o.
Guarantee. Exorbitnnt Rater.
1T rantees the present exorbi-
t tan rentals for the railroads under n
that there may be no complain, from
big business provides similar nen-
e.ou. rentals for the short lines which
1T open the doors for the Federal
treasury to the railroads in order that
;;hey may be rehnanced with public
II similar scheme were proposed
30. 80 tne purpose OF aiding the farmers
-: ne city WORKERS. those who Spon-
rSred 1t would be denounced as Boil
shevists and the country would be told
they were attempting TO overturn re-
publican institutions.
III the people OF this countrv-tbe
farmers. the small business men. tbe
professional men and the orsanized
ing the provision of This BIN, such a
the nati G9ula Gou W from all parts
That its authors fear lust tha 9e E;a5
OF result Is evidenced by the attemnt
to u Il IN nit it through the House,
measure was prepared in see erst con- .n,s !.
ference. Presumably. no ono outside
fa as iIismD %itb wb o., the committee was
ni' the closed doors OF the com
III ."sW9sssiiIL s iI,ess ,.ho- ,.,.
seSesai Pages Of the Bill. i It is ee sier
n;,nc2nt fact that not one representa-
i've OF organized labor was consuited
WINGED that the same hand that wro.c
e en- financial provisions. giving wall
the labor clauses
Traresty on Legislation.
This travcsty on legislation reveals
s srh tuhd IA weakness OF ali
former owners sturn The the f,c r3ad o. to their
yate ownership OF the means OF trans
bbn in sesHs n "a h-cssn down; The Esch
outraseous increases in rates and nx.
traEagant subsidies.
a. Huu congress. without having rea
NE pl!i: ~ preparing to accept what
committee have offered. =" INC
y. Hpparentiy our statesma nship is as
oanPrup' as ou- railroads. q"
T., LABOR. having studied the problem
IN All its, phases. again submits whst
,t contends is the ccmInon-scnsc soInt
lion OF the problem. soiu
= Inc railroads should he held und.r
r. riS 80 control Tor at least two Years
e mtS VIII AFFORD thorough test Of The
nii;hS;ienc! OF government operation ana
Ill SNc Congress and the America1
peop!e an opportunity 10 study tbis
most important OF issues ."iS
La Dor is willing TO accent m. soh
IuoE msnt OF the American voters cS.
pressed at a general election"