Manchester Democrat., 1920-09-29

tateS OF the country. However, the
Farm Bureau with its representatives
at Washington were alert to the inter
ests Of the farmers and Defeated the
bill at that time. However, the finan-
cial interests have been fostering this
legislation with the intent purpose OF
having 1t passed during this next ses-
sion of Congress.
i There is evidently only one course
to be pursued by FARMERS Of this coun-
ty and that is to perfect their organi-
zation to one hundred per cent eff
cheney. Every farmer is concerned in
such large way, whether he be own
er or renter. The owner of land is af-
fected directly, the renter indirectly
in that he would be made to pay the
balance eventually
II you wish to know what this
means to the individual farmer In
Delaware County getSa piece OF paper
and 60 over the conditions In your
community, on the basis of the law at
present. This abnormal tax would pay
any farmers dues for fifty years on
the basis Of $500 tax.
What are you going to do about 1t.
Mr.. Farmer Of Delaware County?
The second big issue facing the far
mer today is the proposed manage
ment OF the railroads Of this country.
As Congress adjourned last spring it
pasesd the Cummins-Esch bill which
placed the railroads back under pri-
vate control and 1t was with q sigh
OF relief that the farmers welcomed
this new change Of affairs as the oper-
alton of the railroads under govern
ment control was discouraging to say
the least. The passage Of this bill was
hotly contested by the railroad labor
unions in that they were sponsoring
the so-called Plumb plan Of govern
ment operation Of railroads. We shall
endeavor briefly to compare the two
forms Of management.
Under the Cummins-Esch bill, pre-
pared jointly and concurring by SEN
ator Cummins from Iowa and Mr..
Esch OF the House Of Representatives
after thorough study OF the railroad
situation in this county for a good
many years. The law states that the
government shall return the railroads
to private ownership under the super
vision Of the government for a period
Of two years. Also that any difficulties
between the railroads and labor or
ganizations shall be arbitrated, in that
it will be unlawful to strike.
That the Government is to guaran-
tee an average income of five per
cent on the total valuation Of the rail-
roads as determined by its Interstate
Commerce Commission. This does not
mean that every road will receive five
per cent or thereabouts but that 1t vii.
vary anyways from two to eight per
cent based upon the efficiency of the
railroads and their ability to handle,l
the traffic Of the country. The law also
provides for polling of railroad traf-
fic in that the railroads of the United
States are to be sectioned into regions
from the standpoint of efficiency.
That the Commission be empowered
to prepare rates which will be ade- |
quate to insure a return on railroad
operations and improvements on rail-
road service and equipment II at any
time the rate increase seems to be
more than sufficient to meet the need.
the commission Isl empowered to re-
duce It. !
Since this law has come into effect /
the total valuation placed upon the
railroads by the commission is be-
tween Eighteen and Nineteen Billion
Dollars or practically Three Billion
Dollars less than the railroads de-
manded. A rate has been granted
which approximately Is close to S. per
cent increase. twenty per cent OF which |
is to be paid by passenger traffic. The
reduction in the freight traffic and
placing the power Of the burden on the
passenger service is due to the direct |