Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1919-08-15

foreign commerce committee, by re-
quest of labor leaders, is acceptable.
Even Mr.. Sims, who holds a sympa-
thetic attitude toward some of it's
provisions, is opposed to complete
ownership.
He is preparing new railroad bill
combining some of the salient plans
for government ownership and con-
tinued regulation. He would en-
power the government to buy right
of way and trackage, constituting
about three-fourths of the total val
uation of the roads, and lease the
property to the operating companies,
which would retain the rolling stock.
continue under government control
as now and deal direct with their en-
ployes Ee thinks this would re-
lieve the financial troubles of the
roads and stop the continued in
crease of their Indebtedness, while
enabling ITEM to reduce rates and
operate under safer conditions.
Chairman Gsch of the house inter
state and foreign commerce commit
tee, whose views on railroad and
transportation matters are of influ-
ence with other Republican leaders
in congress, was Outspoken against
government ownership. He declined
to discuss details of the labor plan
but said at involves government
ownership, and l have not thought
that q wise thing"
He favors ample opportunity for
a hearing to it's supporters and ar
ranged for Glenn E. Pulmb, it's
author, and A. 3. Garretson, ex-
president of the Order of Railway
Conductors, to appear before his
committee, which they did last week
Representative Doremus, an influ-
entail Democrat of the committee,
although declining to discuss the
Plumb plan, said he was not very
favorably impressed with govern
ment ownership.
Four Other Plans Pressed.
Contrasted to the suggestions of
labor interestc and the independent
bill to be presented by Mr.. Sims,
there are suggestions from four other
sources representing powerful inter
ests and influence. In brief, these
are, the World says:
% The railway executives, repre-
scnted by A. p. Thorn, who want
their properties back, stripped of
mixed state and federal regulation,
and regulated in future by the gov
eminent entirely, with federal assist
ance financially.
(2) The security holders, repre-
sented by s. Davies Warficld, who
ask a fixed percentage Of return on
property investment.
CD The state commissions, repre-
sented by Charles e. Elmquist, who
are fighting for the states right to
regulate the roads.
a. The Esch bill, introduced by
Chairman Esch, embodying the ben
efits of government operation, with
enlarged powers for regulation by
the interstate commerce commission.
Against these, and supporting the
plan for government ownership, have
been enlisted many influential labor
leaders, including officials of the
American Federation of Labor.
Too Much Water. Says Plumb.
A strike would be used only as q
last resort because it is action by
force, which would be deplored.
Unless something is done the
railway workers will have to have
an increase in wages" said Mr..
Plumb. They cannot get along on
the wages they are receiving. In
crease is necessary unless some such
legislation is enacted.
The railroads would not be in
their present position had it not been
that from their earliest organization
to the present time they have pur-
sued policy of never paying off an
obligation. They are Overcapital-
lied. 1t is impossible at present for
them to stand the burden of their
constantly increasing obligations The
railroads are the only great indus
trial plants in the world which have
been able to make assets of their liza
bilities. To continue such a system
only increases the evil and makes the
ultimate solution of the problem
more difficult"
Mr.. Plumb himself says, and the
brotherhoods are insistent, that there
is no attempt to raise a conflict with
capital, because they recognize the
property rights of all the security
holders in the railroads and propose
that these rights shall be protected.
He pointed out that increases now
in wages would necessitate increases
in rates. with resulting increased
cost of living. Such relief would be
only temporary.
The public is beginning to real
ize," he concluded, that that sys-
TEN, il continued, will eventually
reach, a point where the cost of trans
portation will be prohibitive."
Mr.. Sims explained he had made
offers to the supporters of other
plans to introduce them in the form
of bills in order that the committee
might have other concrete proposals
of legislation to consider.
There are several plans other than
those before mentioned that are
pending. One Is by the United