The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1919-11-19
ACTION. ON THE
RAILWAY DISPUTE
Washington Conference Settles
Four Important Motions

Washington, Nov. 13.-Four impor-
tant points of the railroad reorgani
zation legislation were settled by the
house today during consideration Of
Esch railroad bill. Each of the pro-
visions approved has far reaching eff
fects in providing capital to the car
riers in both the period Immediately
following government control and aft
erward. With che exception, all Of
the provisions provoked sharp fights,
but only one WIS changed.
In brief, the provisions approved by
the House provide:
Carriers must ask the Interstate
Commerce Commission for general :,l-
creases Of rates within GO days after
their return TO private operation.
Revenue Of carriers including short
lines and express, companies for the
first six months Of private operation
are guaranteed by the government TO
equal The corresponding standard re-
turn,~ paid as rental by the gover;l
ment. during federal control.
Carriers Indebtedness to the gov
ernmert. remaining after a settlement
Of the rental owed by the government
may be funded for ten years on de-
mand notes at 6 per cent interest; and
carriers may obtain government loans
from a S250,092 900 revolving fund
during the first two years of renewed
private operation, such. loans to ma
ture in 5 years. bear s per cent. in
terest ard to be secured.
Only the provision TOR government
loans escaped lack, it being APPROX
cd without a word Of debate. Vain
efforts were made to eliminate the or
der for carriers to ask increased rates
and also the guaranty provision, but
these attacks may be renewed later.
The funding plan embodied in the
bill. however, was rejected after its op-
ponents had attacked it as unfair to
the government and it's supporters lad
urged that congress be generous in
financial dealings with the roads.
AS soon as the so-called capital pro-
visions including the one containing
in effect the rates as increased by the
railroad administration has been dis
posed of the House took UP the labor
sections but after continuing late into
the evening adjourned until tomorrow
with three plans pending for the set
tlement Of labor disputes. Numerous
members also wer9 seeking to offer
amendments. and House leaders pre-
dicted that night session tomorrow
would be necessary to reach final ac-
ton en- the labor provisions.
Anticipating consideration Of the Ia
Dor sections, Secretary Morrison Of the
American Federation of Labor, to-
gether with other officers of labor un-
ions, were in the HoTse galleries, and
some Of the men held informal con-
'fcrences with representatives. outlin-
ing their views on the labor adjust
nlent plan.
The labor men opposed the House
bill in It's entirety but centered thsir
complaint largely on tho labor section
providing for railroads collecting
judgments on the property OF unions.
The labor pla.1 of the bill wohld set
up two boards Ter the voluntary arbi-
tration Of disputes. Carriers, enforc-
ing a lockout Of employers would be
lIiUlc 1Ol utiIlld:ot'o tt1o w SlA e1o ieI0Oi
unions for strikes.
Two substitutes for this plan were
offered, one by Representative Web
ster, Republican, for, compulsory arbi-
tration before a board selected by the
President, whose decision would be
final. Strikes or lockouts under his
plan, would be prohibited, and viola
ton Of this provision would make car
rier, Or union, Including members of
the latter as individuals, liable for
damages.
The other substitute offered by Rep
resentative Sweet. Republican, would
by law establish boards Of employees
and rail executives similar to those e1-
listing il, the prewar period and would
carry with it no penalty for failure to
reacha 4 final adjustment. His plan was
said to have the approval Of the rail
way workers. and Representative
Cooper. Republican. Ct former locomo-
tive engineer, endorsed it. declaring
that ''for years the railroad men and
their employees had been able to SET
Tie their own disputes among them
selves