The Washington times., 1919-12-21
RAILS PROBLEMS
LOOM LARGE NOW
Gompers to Ask Veto Of Anti
Strike LaW-ShoWdoWn on
Shopmen Near.

With passage of the Cummins bill
by the Senate and rejection OF propo-
sitions to continue Federal rail con-
troll, railroad labor problems have
come to the front here
Samuel Gompers, IL became known
AT the Federation of Labor, in the
next few days formally will ask
President Wilson to veto the Cum
minis bill II 1t comes to him In any
thing like its present form. Gompers
is bitterly opposed to the anti-strike
clause in the measure, and with other
labor leaders, favors continuation Of
Federal control for two years.
showdown On shepnea.
The second development was the
approach OF a Showdown" between
railroad shopmen and the Railroad
Administration over workers de-
mands for 25 per cent salary in
crease. This dispute, which has been
pending about four months. may come
to an issue next week.
The labor sections In the Cummins
and Esch railroad bills will be the
main point OF contention in confer
ence, Senate and House leaders agree.
May Adept Canadian Psa.
II is considered probable that finally
a compromise labor agreement may
be reached along the lines .of the
Canadian plan, which allows strikes
only after arbitration has failed.
The shopmen at a conference yes
terday discussed living costs with
Railroad Administrator Hines. but
found he was unable to give data
He is expected to produce facts and
figures furnished by other Government
departments at this weeks confer
ences.
Unless Hines at this conference can
produce data to show that the Gov
ernment can reduce prices, the shop
mems executive will call meeting OF
district heads to- consider action.
They do not appear optimistic that
the Government will grant their wage
demands.
Other Unions Have Denands.
Other railroad unions. including the
four big g>brotherhoods, also have wage
demands before the Railroad Admin
istration which they have previously
declared they want adjusted before
the lines go back to private hanos.
What action other unions would take
IL the shopmen's demands were turned
down fatty and strike resulted
would probably depend on conditions
at the time.
Meanwhile the question uppermost
in the minds of Legislators is -Will
President Wilson return the rail-
roads to their owners January i, or
Will he hold them under Government
control until the pending legislation
has been agreed upon. Forecasts to-
day of the probable date of final
enactment of permanent railroad
legislation ranged from February1 to
March 80.
The Senate late yesterday made IL
possible for confsrees to get to work
by passing the Cummins bill. by
vote of 46 to 80. The House had pre-
viously passed the Esch bill.
Heper For Message.
Almost up to the hour of voting
yesterday Senators hoped the Presi-
dent would send word to Congress
making clear his intentions. His prom
Use, in his message at the opening OF
the session, to send a railroad mes
sage later was made the ground for
the assumption that he would an
nounce the date for return of the rail-
roads before the Senate acted. The
fact that he did not do so induced
many Senators to vote for the Cum
minis bill, they said, against their in
clination. Many Senators said they
voted for IL simply because they real
ized the vital need of hurrying it
along to conference.
Now Is the time. Good Fellows, to
register In the Joy giving hand that 10
tn take kaDptncH> 10 the Door Mid ON