Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1919-12-22
RAIL BILL PASSED
SENATE ADOPTS cuMMiNs MEAS.
URE WITH STRIKE CLAUSE.
Way Paved For Return Of Railroads
to Private Ownership Late In Jan.
uary--eili Now Goes to Conference
Some Difficulty In Harn,onixina
House and Senate Measurss.

Washington, Dec. 29.-The Cummins
bill paving the way for return OF rail-
roads TO private operation passed the
senate late Saturday by vote OF 10
to 80. ending prolonged discussion
OF the measure and making the hoa-
day recess of congress possible. 1t
went thru without change in the anti
strike and other important provisions
around which the senate measure WAS
drawn, and was sent to conference for
adjustment during the recess with the
Esch bill, passed by the house Sovem-
ger II. tlnal enactment OF the per-
manent railroad reorganization lesls a.
tion is hoped Tor 10y leaders early next
month.
The ultimate disposition Of the rail-
road prob iem, however. still IS in DOUBT
as the senate and house bills Will De
in conference and congress in recess
on January !, the date previously set
by President Wilson for return of the
lines 10 their owners. No further word
regarding his present intention reach
ed congress before adjournment over
the holidays.
Ready to Return Roads.
Unless vetoed by the president. the
pending legislation, according 10 plans
Of congressional leaders, would re-
quire return Of the roads by January
81. The railroad administration. how
ever. has plans ready for their return
January ! under a presidentian procla-
nation, should Mr.. Wilson adhere TO
his announced program.
Preceding the final vote the senate
rejected, IS TO II, substitute bill Of
fered by Senator La Toilette, repuoN-
can, Wisconsin, proposing retention OF
the roads another two years.
Three republicans, Gronna, North
Dakota; La Toilette, and Norris. Ne
braska, and eight democrats, Ashurst,
Arizona; Chamberlain, Oregon; Hen
derson, Nevada: Johnson. South Da-
kota: Kerdrick, Wyoming: Nusent,
Idaho: Sheppard. Texas, and Walsh,
Montana, voted for the plan.
The Cummins bill was supported by
thirty-th republicans and thirteen
democrats and opposed by eight re-
bubl!cans and twenty -two democrats.
When the house was informed that
the senate had passed the Cummins
bill representative Esch. chairman OF
the interstate commerce commission,
who will head the house conferees,
said that the labor section Of the two
bills were so radically different that
4. seeed absolutely certain that the
conrerees would later thave to ask the
house for instructions"
This made unnecessary vote OF the
house to bind its conferees to the p, an
of voluntary mediation Of labor dis
putes proposed by the house bill.
Wants Test in House.
REPRESENTATIVE Garner, Texas, demo-
cratic whip, said he favored a test IN
the house on the senate labor section
which includes the anti-strike pro-,
vision.
Both senate and house bills propose
private ownership and operation OF the
railroads under strict government SUI
pervision, but differ radically in other
respects than their labor provisions.
The senate bill would transfer the
roads at midnight Of the last day OF
the month in which the legislation IS
enacted: the house bill returns them
similarly II enactment should come be-
fore the fifteenth Of the month, other
wise at the end of thirty days.
Conferences to harmorize the two
bills will begin next Monday, but while
| a long struggle Is expected during the
recess period, an agreement soon after
| congress reconvenes, Jan. 5, is the con-
| ferees aim.
The senate vote today was the Gull
mination Of the debate begun Dec. 2,
and which has held the senate In ses-
| sion nightly for the last week. Sem
ator LaFollette wound up the debate
In a four-hour address in behalf Of his
substitute
! Attack Anti Strike Clause
! Attack on the Cummins bill in the
senate conferred largely on the anti
strike clause, penalzing !ockouts or
strikes of employees, all efforts to
eliminate or modify 1t being defeated.
It now must run the gauntlet Of con-
ference with predictions general of a
compromise with the house plan OF
voluntary mediation without prohibit
! ing strikes. Also to be harmonized are
the senate and house plans for labor
{ bodies to deal with disputes over
wages and working conditions.
! New Park for Storm Lake.
Pppuh1irnn