Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1919-09-05
ADVOCATES COMMISSION
TO FIX WAGE SCHEDULES
Senator Underwood Also Would Have
Body Dcsignatc the Transporta-
ton Rates.
DECLARES PLAN NECESSITY
Advises Congress That Workers Wiit
Not Strike Against tho Just De-
cisiOns Made by Their Own Coy.
eminent.
In Assncintcd prcss1

WASHINGTON. Sept Establish
mcnt of "a governmental commission Or
board with powers to fix both railroad
wage scales aud transportation rates
was advocated in tho Senate today by
Senator Underwood. of Alabama. a
l,cm"cratic member OF tho Interstate
Commerce Committee.
Without disclosing whether h" ia
'orcd tn" Interstate Commerce Com
mission as the proposed tribunal or
discussing the Cummins bil's plan to
prohibit strikes and iockoutS OF en-.
ployccs. Senator Underwood said the
interests Of tho public. OF capital and
OF railroad employees require such a
plan II IL clearly within tho right OF
Congress, he declared to create an
agency to determine wages as we'll as
"a ties.
Men Will not strike" said the Ala
bama Senator. against the Just de-
Cisions Of the government. Aftera fair
determination Of the controversy by
an impartial tribunal. public sentiment
cert tho verdict rendered as final. 1t
must be done in the interest Of the
men involved. the industry OF the pco-
pic, and the peace of the nation
Tribunal HIunt Have Power.
The tribunal he proposed. Senator
Underwood continued. must have the
authority and power to protect tho
rights Of the whole people against the
"Dis,urbance of transportation" he
said. affects tho whole public. and
therefore. railroad employees owe obli-
cations in their action different from
those in private industry.
There is but one way out. in my
Judgment" he continued, and that is
10 appoint tribunal with the power
10 adjust these matters which has the
time 10 consider and the opportunity
to know the facts. Such a tribunal
must not only have the power and be
by the labor employed on the railroads.
but must have authority and power
10 see that property Is not contscatcd
by it's decisions For. should YOU con-
fiscate the property OF the transporta-
tion companies. YOU would break down
the channels of transportation as cf-
down in strike. with the resultant in
Jury TO the people. 4 tribunal Of this
kind mus; also have the authority and
opportunity 10 consider the rights Of
the shippers and travellers who in the
last analysis will bear any increased
burden that falls on tho carriare Of
property Or persons over the Transport
tation lines
Jus, and Final solution.
''if YOU want a final and just solu-
ton Of such controversy. YOU are
practi cally driven 20 leaving the de-
cisicn to governmental commission
TO investigate tho rates of wage. the
earning power OF the transportation
companies. the cost Of living. the bur
den that rests on the shipping public,
and to determines
First. what is n fair, just and living
wage for The men.
Second. how far this charge can he
placed on the capital Of tho corpora
ton without breaking IL down, de-
stroyipE the value OF it's securities.
bankrupting its property. aud taking
away from the investing public fair
return for capital invested.
Third how FAR IN increased charge
for labor. interest or supplies. can he
h?nded down 10 tho public without
doing injustice tor tho shipper aud
traveller. and without becoming men
acc TO the development Of industry.
Must Reflect Findings.
1T is essential that tho beard or
commission that Ia given the power to
adjust the wage scale of the men must
also have the power to reflect its lind
inSS ia the rates charged for the trans
portation OF persons and property over
tho railroads"
Senator Underwood said the time la :
come when contests OF brute force"
between capital and labor must cease.
and THAI the rights OF labor should he