Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1919-12-20
PRESIDENT Silent
AS TO RAILROADS
Senate Will Vote on the Cum
minis Bill This After
noon.

Congress i'll go home for the Christ
mas holidays without hearing from
President Wilson as to the time for
the return of the railroads, it having
been announced at the White House
that no message on the subject would
be sent to the Capitol today.
Before the announcement was made
a report that the President would
send message late today had gained
wide circulation among senators and
representatives.
The President apparently had not
communicated his decision as to the
ending of government control to any
or the administration officials, but
most of them believe the roads will
not be turned back by January 1.
IN some circles the opinion was held
that the Presidents final decision
would await action by Congress on
the pending legislation.
Senator In Follette's substitute.
Speaking In support of his substi-
tute railroad bill under which the
government would retain the roads
for two years. Senator La Toilette, re-
publican, Wisconsin. declared in the
senate today that return of the car
TlerS TO their owners at this time
would cost the American people more
than billion dollars a year.
Senator La Toilette was expected to
take up all the time remaining for
debate before $3.50 o'clock. at which
hour the Senate had agreed to vote
on the Cummins bill. designed to meet
conditions with return of the roads
TO private operation
senate leaders said the La Toilette
substitute would be rejected.
Conference With Mr.. Hina..
PRESIDENT Jewell and the executive
uouncil or the railway employees de-
psr1ment or the American Federation
or Labor had an engagement TODAY
with Director General Hines, but IN
advance of the conference declined to
olscuss what their business would be.
demands for 25 per cent increase in
pay to meet rises in living costs were
comprised In the federation's railway
employees department. President Will
son at that time declared no more
general advances in pay would be
given until the government had had
time to show what could be done to
control prices. The shop crafts &C.
coded, and ninety days was tacitly
given for the governments campaign
to show results
Union officials say the men are get
ting restless. II the railroads do not
go back to private control by January
it is considered likely that general
revision of wage schedules will be re-
quested.
Final Vote Today.
After a session of more than twelve
hours the Senate last night failed to
reach a vote on the railroad bill, but
shortly before midnight adjourned
with an agreement to vote finally on
the bill at 3:30 o'clock today.
A proposal by Senator La Toilette,
republican, Wisconsin. upon which he
planned to speak today. extending
government control of railroads for
two years, alone prevented passage
of the bill last night, the Senate hav-
ing disposed of all other important
amendments. including rejection of
all efforts to eliminate or modify the
anti-strike clauses.
In a last attack on the anti-strike
clause. the modified substitute OF
Senator Mccormick, republican, Illi-
nois. was rejected finally by a vote
Of 33 to 80. 1t was defeated Thurs
day on q tie vote.
Party Lines Broken.
Party lines were split on the vote
on the Mccormick amendment, thir.
ocrats supporting it. while twenty re-
publfcans and thirteen democrats
voted in opposition.
Among those opposing the amend
ment was Senator Robinson, democrat
(Ark.), who declared there would be
iO cACu6C LUZ q StTlhc VI TdllTOdQ
employees in view of the impartial
government tribunals provided by the
bill
While voting in favor Of the amend
ment Senator Kenyon. republican
(Iowa), said he thought that the labor
section should be made general in ef-
feet and that the people were becom-
ing tired of strikes. He said he did
not like the Cummins bill, and favor
ed an opportunity for the conferees to
work out a compromise.
Upon rejection of the Mccormick
substitute. Senator Stanley, democrat
strike clause. A similar motion by
the Kentucky senator was defeated
yesterday.
Denounees Anti-Strfke Clause.
'This is system of involuntary
servitude. monstrous and abhorrent,"
said Senator Stanley. referring to the
the days Of chattel slavery. It is in
famous and humiliating."
When the vote was taken, Senator
Stanley's motion again was defeated,
80 to "a.
The motion secured support Of five
republicans, La Toilette (Wis.), Len
root (wis). McNary (Ore.). Norris
(Neb.). and Spencer (Mo.). and nine
teen democrats:
Chamberlain, Fletcher, Gay, Gerry,
Harris, Harrison. Henderson. Jones
IN. M. Kendrick. King. Kirby: NC
Kellar, Nugent. Sheppard. Smith Is.
CO. Stanley, Trammell, Walsh (Mass.)
and Wolcott.
WILL FIT MEN FOR JOBS.