The sun., 1919-12-18
Rights OF Innocents.

IlCOnSlStent WIN the lTecppTH Aiuci ilShh
Rystem to say that scheme smacks some
what OF involuntary servitude.
Rights OF Innocents.
Those who say we must have the
unrestrained right. to stop the commerce
OF the country do not regard the rights
OF the innocent men, women and children
who are dependent on transportation for
their food and fuel. Men who would
advocate the stopping OF transportation
think only OF the 100000 railroad en-
ployees and not OF the 10, 200, 900 peo-
pie In the United States"
Senator Cummins called attention 10
a decision OF Justice Harlan many years
ago thai while there was nothing to pre-
vent railroad men from quitting work
individually or collectively, they might
not conspire to tie up the transportation
system.
Il will ask the chairman of the COM
mittee whether Justice Harlan's opinion
was not then based on common law In
stead of specific legislative act?" sug-
gested Senator Pomerene.
1T was" said Senator Cummins.
Mr.. Pomerene contended that this was
merely quitting on the statute books the
principles laid down In the Harlan opln-
ion.
In'calling attention TO the large hold
ings OF railroad stocks and bonds by life
insurance companies, Senator Pomerene
said that Congress must not enact laws
that will depreciate the value OF such
securities whether they be held by Wall
street ''magnates" or poor washerwomen
Ownership OF the roads is so diversified
hs said. that unless they are permitted
to operate successfully the burden will
fall on those least able TO bear II. He
presented statistics of the Interstate
Commerce Commission for the first ten
months Of this year in support of his
assertion that the guaranteed return
provisions Of the bill are not excessive.
A substitute for the antl-strike clauses
was introduced by Senator Mccormick
Ull), and will be considered tomorrow.
The idea Is that OF the Canadian law,
and would prohibit strikes or lockouts
until sixty days after decisions by
board OF arbitration, consideration by
the board being limited to ninety days.
Senator Mccormick said that pro-
visions as they stand would constitute
a dangerous precedent and are doomed
to defeat. Senator Cummlns replied that
American labor leaders are more opposed
to the Canadian regulations than they
are to the provisions of his bill.
Amendment Accepted.
The Senate tentatively accepted an
amendment by Senator Jones Wash
designed to prevent foreign owned rail
roads and ship lines from discriminat-
ing against American carriers by cutting
their rates to shipments to points within
the United States, Senator Jones ex-
planned that the amendment Is directed
against certain Canadian railroads. which
offer reduced rates for the shipment OF
American goods In bond through Canada
to Pacific coast cities in the United
States
The Senate adopted an amendment
providing for a revolving fund of $780,
100000, from which the Government
may make loans TO railroads for their
after the return to private
ownership, 1t was introduced by Sena-
tor Freliughuysen IN. J). -.
The Senate adopted an amendment Of
fered by Senator Lenroot (Wis.), which
provides for the striking out OF any
guarantee by the Government to rail-
roads while being reorganizsd under the
proposed transportation board,