Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1919-09-10
NEW RAILROAD BILL
TO FORBID STRIKES
National Board of Five to Direct
Rail Operation.
PROFIT SHARING IN SCOPE
Comprehensive Program for Restora-
ton of Railway Lines on Perma-
nent Peace-Time Basis Sub
mitted by Senate Committee.

Washington, Sept. 3.-EstalIlish-
ment of a system of proft-sharing by
employees is only one of the far
reaching provisions of the bill for the
restoration of the country's railroads
to private ownership, favorably re-
ported to the senate by Senator Cum
minis, Republican, of Iowa, as chair
man of the senate interstate COM
merce committee.
The measure provides for repeal
of the federal control act Of March
81, 1918, and return of the railroads
on the last day Of the calendar month
in which it becomes a law.
Rates in force when the repeal
takes effect are to remain in force
until changed by competent author
ity."
In many respects the bill is extraor-
binary for the revolutionary changes
and the sweeping changes in railroad
ownership, management and opera
tion incorporated in it.
Penalty for Strikes.
The bill is also designed to prOhib-
1T strikes and lockouts of railroad en-
ployees under penalties of fine and
Imprisonment. 1t would create a
co1nmittee on wages and working con-
tlitiOns, which would pass upon dis
putes. Any carrier refusing to carry
out the decision of the committee,
upon conviction, would be fined not
more than $500, or imprisonment for
not more than six months, or both.
The same punishment would be ap-
piled to ''twO or more persons enter
ing into any combination with the in
tent substantially to hinder the move
ment of commodities, or persons in
interstate commerce."
The labor features, as summed up
by Senator Robinson, Democrat, of
Arkansas, a member of the commit
tee, mot only assure to employees
Just, fGir and reasonable hours, wages
and working conditions, but the bill
gives them representation on the
boards of directors of the various
railroad corporations and establishes
an employee and welfare fund from
the excess earnings which it is be-
lieved some of the railroads will de-
rive from the rates to be established
under the bill"
Purposes of Employees Fund.
The proposed employees fund is
to be expended by a railroad trans
portation board created by the bill
upon the recommendation of an adj
visory committee representing the
railroad brotherhoods, and is de-
signed to promote hospital relief, i'm
prove conditions of labor, lessen the
hazards of employment supplement
existing systems of insurance and
pensions, afford opportunities for the
technical education of employees and
TO establish a system of profit-sharing
for Them" Robinson added.
There is no purpose to Cypress,
or permit the oppression of rail-
roads," he continued. ION the con-
trary, the bill is intended to secure
them their just rights. Having done
ahis, 1t cannot be considered unfair
TO protect the public against the dan
gers of strikes and lockouts."
The railroad transportation board
is to consist of five members appoint
ed by the president. with the advice
and consent of the senate, at $4,000
year each.
No member Of the board can 'hold
any office or employment under any
railroad corporation, or be peculiar
Ally interested in the stocks or bonds
of any such corporation"
Upon passage of the bill, the inter
state commerce commission is to d.
vide the country into rate districts
and the carriers into rate groups, for
rate-making purposes; and hearings
are provided for, with respect to the
adequacy of rates for revenue pur-
poses, considering the rate district,
or rate group as a whole.