Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1919-12-18
u'lL. L.S0N'S MjNI) STILL | OPEN ON
 RAIL RI: TURN
Tumulty Declares President Undecided When to Give
 Back Roads
ANSWERS LABOR AND
 FARMER DELIBERATIONS
Gompers Wants Cummins to With draw Bill-Scnats Speeds up Action for Legisia-
 ton

Washington, Dee. 17.-Prcsidont Wilson's mind is still open on the question of returning the rail roads tG private control, Secretary Tumulty today told a delegation representing union labor and some farmers organizations who called at the white house to present d letter asking the executive to delay return of the roads for two years.
 This was the first authoritative expression on the subject which had come from administration quarters since the president in formed congress last May that he planned to relinquish federal con trol by January l. The president, Mr. Tumulty said, would be glad to get the views of the labor and farmers representative who insis- ted that a fair test of government operation in peace time should be given.
 While the delegation was at the white house, the senate was speed ing up consideration of the Cum mlns railroad bill and apparently was nearing a final vote after more than a week of debate. Un- der the measure the roads would be returned to their owners with III 50 days after the bill became a law, but there was no prospect that final enactment of any rail road legislation would be com pieted until well after the Christ mas holidays owing to the differ ences between the senate and house.
 Before going to the white house the union labor and farmers dele gatlcn, which included President Gompers of the American Fedora tlon of Labor and representatives, of the railroad brotherhoods, call ca on Senator Cummins, chairman of the senate interstate commerce committee, and asked that his bill be withdrawn. He indicated that he would lay the request before the full committee.
 The letter from the labor and farmers delegation to the presi- dent sad proponents of the Cum mlns bill claimed that the presi- deht planned to return the roads by January 1 and that some legis- latlon providing for such return must be enacted immediately.
 During the day, J., R. Howard representing the American Farm Rureau federation, made public a letter which he had sent to Sena- ter Cummlns, transmitting resolu- tlons adopted by the federation at Chicago last month demandinp the early return of the railroads to prlvate control under such con ditions and regulations as will render adequate service at just and equitable rates."
 Gompers Speaks.
 MT. Howard said the resolutions han been adopted unanimously. Protestin gagainst enactment of the Cummins railroad bill. now ba- fore the senate, Samuel Gompers president of the American Fedora tlon of Labor and representatives of ire railroad brotherhoods, to- ooether with sDokesmen for some organizations, today urp- ad Chairman Cummins of the sen. ate interstate commerce com lttee to withdraw the measure and give government operation of the roads fair and thorough peace time test. ~
 The brotherhood representatives, that they planned to 20 to the White House during the lay to urge President Wilson to lse ms influence against passage of the bill. ~
 Senator Cummins said he had no authority to withdraw the bill put expressed his intention of aylng the request before the full 
 MT. Gompers declared that or sanlzed labor wanted the govern nent to retain control of the rail- 'oads for two years "for the pur- pose of testing out the best method or their continued operation"
 Referring to the anti strike pro- vision of the bill, MT. Gompers 'aid:
 T do not know whether we are srafting and on that point I am aDprehensive. This proposal is filled with the gravest conseouen- 'es: It will not stop strikes, but VII make respected citizens law breakers"
 The injunction against the coal miners, MT. Gompers declared, did lot produce an ounce of coal.
 Injunction Fruitless.
 "lniunctions cannot make men york;" he added, land it is we'll c remember that if men cannot ret justice in other ways they will 5 top work. and laws which seek to ,revent that cannot accomplish heir purpose"
 Senator Cummins replied that l,
 Continued on page six) $