New-York tribune., 1920-02-20
Labor Calls
For Defeat
OF Rail Bill
force increased rates aggregating
$1,250, 100000, and add to the cost Of
Continued from page I

81, 100000, and add to the cost Of
living generally.
With Representative Sims, Demo-
crat, Tennessee, who also refused to
sign the conference report, Mr.. Barley
will lead the floor fight on the bill, in
which most Of the Democrats are ex-
pected to be supported by q few Re-
publicans. Proponents Of the measure,
however, were confident that the COM
promise bill will be approved by the
House before adjournment Saturday.
charged, were to be attributed to the
work Of thigh salaried agents" of rail-
road security holders, who "have
camped on the doorsteps of Congress
for more than a year," attacking the
financial provisions of the bill. In this
connection, Mr.. Barkley declared "it is
almost ihconceivable that Congress
could be induced to adopt such a
course" referring particularly to the
provision that rates yielding per cent
on the book value of the roads, with
any excess earnings, be divided be-
tween the carriers and the government
SO as to create Jackpot" to aid weak
lines.
Money for Roads Sought
In his statement the Kentucky Rep
resentative revealed that the conferees
on railroad legislation expect Congress
soon to be asked for an appropriation
of S600,000,000 to wind up the affairs
of the railroad administration. He
said that an exact statement of these
financial needs was expected to be given
the House Saturday.
Attacking the railroad bill section by
section, the unions memorial declares
first that railroad employees expect just
treatment and the continuation Of tNsir
"unaiienable right to have an equal
voice, representation and vote in any
tribunal created by law or mutual
agreement which is to establish the
compensation we are to receive"
1t then is charged that the pending
bill violates the fundamental provisions
of American government in the sections
regulating the financial return to in
vestors, because "particular and exclu-
sive privileges" were conferred in
guaranteeing dividends.
"This act denies to the public the
benefit of competition" the memorial
says. "By this bill the government
mon good is prostituted to establish
the private interests of holders of rail
way securities as class"
Employees Part in Plan
The sections creating a railroad
labor board are quoted to show that
the unions are required to nominate
men to represent them within thirty
days from the passage of the bill, and
after the Interstate Commerce Coon-
mission has held hearings and promul-
gated the method of procedure for
such nominations, but that no provi-
sion is made to require the commits
sion to formulate regulations in suff-
cient time to permit the employees
to comply with the act
In having the commission define
Subordinate officials" who shall come
within the labor provisions Of the act
according to the memorial, special con-
sideration has been granted to a class
Of employees comprising less than s
per cent of the total on an equal foot
ing with the recognized standard or
ganizations
This special consideration also per
mits situation to arise" the memora
continues, "that could result in the ap
pointment of three subordinate of
ficials,' three representatives of tn
carriers, likewise subordinate officials,
and three members constituting tn,