The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1919-09-04
RAILROAD BILL
F0RBIDS STRIKES
U. S. Control, Profit Sharing and
Pensions, Is Scope of
Measure.
BOARD TO DIRECT OPERATION
Kate Zones Prescribed-Systems t.
Be confined to 20 to s5-Prosits
Provide Welfare Fund
Penalty for Walkouts.

washington, Sept. 3.--Establish-
ment Of system of profit-sharing By
employees is only ore of the far.
reaching provisions Of the bill for the
restoration of the country's railroads
TO private ownership, fayorably 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
on the federal control act of March
81, 1918, and return Of the railroads
on the last day Of the calendar month
In which 1t becomes a law.
Rates in force when the repeal
takes effect are to rsmain In force
until changed by competent author
ity."
In many respects the bin is extra.
ordinary for the revolutionary chang
es and the sweeping changes In ran.
road ownership, management and op-
Grafton Incorporated I'm it.
Penalty for Strikes.
The bill is also designed to prohib-
II Ftrikes and loci0uts OF railroad en-
ployees under penalties of fine and
imprisonment. II would create a
committee on wages and working con-
dittons, which would pass upon dis
putes. ANY carrier refusing to carry
out the decision of the committee. up
on 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. member Of the commit
tee, mot only assure to employees
just. fair and reasonable hours, wag-
es 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-
lieyed some OF tRe railroads will de
rive from the rates to be established
under the bilI.''
Purposes of Employees Fund.
The proposed employees fund is
to be expended by a railroad trans
portation board created by the bin
upon the recommended ton of an ad-
visory committee representing the
railroad br0therhoods, 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 proft-shar-
ing for them," Robinson added.
There is no purpose to Cypress,
or permit the oppression of rail-
roads" he continued. con the con-
trary, the bill is intended to secure
them their just rights. Having done
this, it 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 pecuniari-
ly interested in the stocks or bonds
of any such corporation"
Upon passage Of the bill, the inter-
state commerce commission is TO "di-
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,
r rate group SIS a whole.