Free trader-journal. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1916-1920, 1920-02-25
PREDICT BREAK IN
RANKS Of RAILWAY
UNIONS OVER LAW
BROTHERHOOD FACE SPLIT AS
RESULT OF LEGISLATION PASS
ED BY ONGRESS-BRlNG PRES.
SURE ON WILSON TO USE VETO
ON MEASURE.

Washington, Feb. Threats of a
break were made yesterday in the ai
liiated railroad employees organiza'
tons on President Wilson, proposal
for a settlement of their wage de
mdnds.
In every conference Of he commit
teemen representing the 10000
workers il was said, demands for au
APPEAL to the President to veto tn"
railroad bill continued to grow NOR
insistent
The leaders were confronted with
the task Of explaining to the local
chairmcn The basic reasons for thei.'
tentative acceptance Of the Presi-
dents plan. while the latter were bit
rerly attacking the governments gen
cral policy and the manner in which
II had dealt with the wage contrO.
NerSy.
The leaders also were forced to
combat other moves OF radical elo-
ments, that they said might take
definite form at any time.
The general committeeman are not
by any means united in favor Of he
residents proposition. T., j. Man.
ion, president Of the brotherhood oi
Railroad Photographers. was said -
have suggested that the whole cor
trOversj be referred to the general
membership This proposal has not
gained Roadway among the other eX
ccutives, it was said. but it serves 10
indicate the trend of thought OF the
leaders.
President Wilson will not act i'm
medately on the compromise railroad
bill passed Monday by the senate. It
was announced at the white house
yesterday that he had directed tn"
measure be referred To the depart.
ment of justice
The executive has ten days in which
to pass upon the act. II is gene 'allN
expected he will be urged by repre-
sentatives of the railroad brother
hoods and organized labor generally
to veto the bin because Of its lab0t
and other provisions,
He Was asked yesterday By GcOr %
=, HAMPTON, managing director OF the
Farmers National Council. 10 veto the
bill on the grounds Of public policy.
The President was told return Of
the railroads would mean an increas"
Ct four to five billion dollars in the
cost of living because OF increased
freight rates, and that one billion do
lars Of the increase would be passed
on to farmers This increase, Mr.
Hampton said. could not be borne. as
agriculture now is in IA "prccarious'
position.
Rea Praises Passage.
Philadelphia. Feb %. Samuel Rca.
president Of the Pennsylvania Rat
road. yesterday said passage of tn"
railroad bill is beneficial 10 the coun
try because it has been removed from I
political discussion that increased |
public unrest and uncertainty.
We will do all in our power he /
said. to make the bill decidedly /
constructive measure in practice and |
beneficial to the public. the employees |
and the owners CT railroad securities. |
But the main SpOnsibility for is /
success rests on the interstate com /
merce commission in fixing a fair val /
uation of the railroads. in having lib. ,
eral views on railroad compensations /
and in assuring that railroad credit is !
kept so sound, through reasonable /
earnings, that new capita. for their /
expansion will be available at all |
times and railroad expansion can pre-
cede business demands