The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1919-12-31
RAILWAY SHOPMEN
THREATEN STRIKE
Notify Officials That They Will
Not Submit to Cummins'
Law

LdW
Washington, Dec. 2G.-OrSaniZcd
railway naacllinists, through their
president served notice on congress-
today that they would not submit to
enactment Of the Cummlns railroad
bill. with its drastic anti-strikc pro-
vision.
Voting more than u ,nonth ago 9S
per cent 6 the l25.00o members OF
ihc union favored an immediate walk
out in event Of the bills passaSe by
both houses Of congress, but the. re-
suit was not made known through fear
that the brotherhoods might appear
+; in The light Of attempting to coerce
the law making branch Of the govern
ment. The ,nachinists, according to
f.; William H. Johnston, president Of the
International association, are the only
railway employees who have taken a
strike vote. but the heads of all the
brothcrhoods. II in all, have been
summoned to meet here Monday to
/ consider pending railway legislation
and etine precisely their position on
/! the clause in the Cummins bill which
would prevent strikes and put strik-
crs il ;sii,.
The call for the conference was is
sued b: ;:amuc! Gompers. president OF
the American Federation of Labor,
!, but Mr.. Gonlpers and other labor
leaders refused to discuss probable ac-
ton by tie brotherhood leaders.
President Wilson's Christmas eve an
jnouncercnt that the roads would be
handed back to their owners March
was a distinct disappointment to Ia
Dor leaders, who had been pleading
for two year extension Of govern
mcnt control. They agreed, however.
that if the roads We're to go back 1t
was 4 good thing to lot it be kroTn.
There was no meeting today Of
house and senate conferees who have
been assigned the task of framing q
new railroad bill out Of the Esch and
Cummins measures. This work, how
ever. will begin next week. in the hope
Of final enactment of railroad legIs-
lation some time in the next. two
months. The anti-strile section is
known to be the main point of differ
epce and while it was left intact in
the bill passed by the senate. house
leaders frankly expressed doubt today
whether the house would accept il.
Philadelphia. Dec 25.-SaElucl Eea.
president OF the Pennsylvania railroad.
in statement tonight on the return
of the railroads. TO private ownership.
said it is essential that higher rates
be approved b. tho interstate COM
mercc commission TO save the country
from broken down railroads and insult
ficient facilities and service Mr.. Rea
said the railroad bill pending in con-
sress should definitely provide the fol-
lowins, essential features:
Il. That adequate rates be at all
times mai, ,ained to prevent the rail-
roads from getting into the position
from which they are now trying to
emerge. For this purpose the adop-
ton OF a rate making rule, or. if that
is not acceptable. the fixing of some
minimum return is essential foH the
positive guidance Of the commission
which regulate rates
80. Fund the war Indebtedness to
the government. which chiefly con-
sists OF expenditures made by the gov
e,Anaent for additions ard betterments.
essential to carrying Tic traffic Of the
war period and protect the life of III" !
nation: and also return the roads with J
sufficient working capita! to resume |
The government found it /
essential To have working capital. and !
the railroads were called upon to pro-
vide large part Of that working
capital at tho beginning Of federal
control both in money and materials
and supplies.
- Continue the standard conlpcn-
sa,ior rs prescribed by the federal
control act and contract unit! tho rail
road situation has been stcadied by
adequate :ateS and stronger credit.
-. Provide sufficient capital IN fin
;sh additions. hct:ermentS and equip
rlcnt already authorized by tho Unit
e, States railroad administration to
'nance additional new work and
cqIpmcnt that should be authorized
II 1920. and also to cnahin the rail
road.; to provide for securities ma
.m'in2: il that :1al.
Tho government. Nh. l;ra said.
is not asked to !aallc gift to the
'a;lroads by such funding Of past cN-
,cndituras or Tor such new carital.
)ut it will receive from n" railroads {
he obligations evidcncin@ such debts.
md recurring their payment in say ton
ears with suitable interest. Thett
public intcreGe shuuld Es protected IN