Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1919-09-02
ROADS TO OWNERS
UNDER REGIONAL SYSTEM
WITH STRICT U.S.CONTROL
Many Radical Changes in
Railway Operation Pre-
posed to Congress.

Washington Sept @ Private
ownership and operation OF rail
roads in a number OF regional sys-
TENS under strict government coz
troll with strikes and lOckouts o.
railroad employees prohibited. ia
the plan for permancn, railroad
regulation submitted 70 the senate
today by the interstate commerce
subcommittee
A tentative bill embodyins the
sub committees recommendation
which bear no resemblance 20 the
Plumb plan. has been introduced
by Chairman Cummins ana refer
red to the full interstate commerce
committee
The bill is'the result Of manv
months OF hearings and WORK b.
the sub-committee which bcsiGc7
Senator Cummins. included Seus
tors Kellogg Or Minnesota and
Poindcxter or Washington. Repuh
licans. and Pomrene o. Ohio ard
Robinson o. Arkansas. Democrats
Wnl Consolidate Roads.
The keynote OF the sub-comn,t-
tees bill, Chairman Cummins stat
ed IN an explanation to the senate
is the plan for establishment OF 20
10 35 regional rail systems
The lev method for settling Ia
Dor disputes is a proposed commit
tee on wages and working cond,
tions," Senator CUmmins said, add
ing
1T creates d committee OF wages
and working conditions which ia
70 be composed OF eight members,
four representing labor and fouE
representing the railway compa-
nies. Each railroad craft is 20
nominate candidates 70 this com
mittee and the board is required o.
appoint four from among saGt
nominees. Each railroad corpora
ton is 10 nominate a candidate for
membership. and the board is 70
appoint four persons from among
such nominations.
Board is Final Authority.
This committee is 70 cons der
all complaints submitted by rep
resentstives of the employees or O.
tho carriers. and is 10 decide bv a
majority vote. and its decisions are
to he certified TO the transportation
board. II the committee Of wages
and working conditions Is even3~
divided upon any question. then
the whole matter viii be certified
TO the board. and the decision o.
the board is final and constitutes
governmental Judgment with rs
spect 10 the matters in contro-
versy.
"Tt provides that the COMMITTEES
and trans tortation hoard shali
take into consideration ;he scale
of wages paid for similar kinds
of work in other industries the
relation between wages and the
cost OF living: the hazards Of tbe
employment: the training and skill
required; the degree of responsi-
bility and the character and res
ularity OF the employment
Another provision OF the bill ra-
quires that railroad corporations
must have among their directors
two representatives Of their "clees
lfed employees" and 'wo directors
representing the government
Split Excess Earnings.
Another clause would create
through the new transportation
board. an employees advisory couu-
Gil composed OF representative Or
each organized craft Of railroad
employees Ito use oue-balt u eE
cess earnings OF companies" above
their 'tair' dividends for he ben
efit OF employees as follows
Research TO lessen hazards OF
employment, extension OF hospltal
relief, insurance and pensions
technical education Of empl oyep
and 10 establish a profit-sharinr
system for employees. The other
half of excess earnings would be-
used by the transportation board
70 buy equipment for lease to the
companies for equipment loans
viii Adjust Rates.
Upon passage OF the act the bill
provides that the interstate com
merce commission shall divide the
country INTO rate-nakins districts
hold regional hearings ard TX new
-ates With regard 20 public and
shippers interests wages Of Ia
hor cost OF maintenance ard oreT-
alton ana a tair return on the
value OF property" ba fEed hr
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