The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1920-02-18
Railroad REORGANIZATION Bill, As Presented to House
And Senate, WileSweepns in its General Provisions;
Creates Permanent Federal Supervisory Board Having
Judiciary Powers and to Which All Labor Disputes Must
Be Submitted; Provides for Net Earnings of All Roads

operating income in excess OF six
per cent of the property value, equal
ly between the carriers reserve fund
and the federal railroad contingent
fund which will be administered by
the commission for the assistance of
weaker roads.
Government guarantee to railroads
against a deficit during the first six
months after roads are turned back.
Permssive consolidation of railroads
in accordance with a general cons D..
oation plan, to be prepared by the
Interstate Commerce Commission.
Appropriation Of $500, 600 600 10 be
used as revolving funds from which
to make loans to carriers and pay
claims growing out Of federal cor
troll
UrexpendeG funds now in the rail.
road admin stration's hands are also
re-appropriated for that purpose, ana
an appropriation Of $4,000 for the
federal labor board is provided.
As finaily agreed upon, the labor
section provides that 1T shall DC
the duty of all carriers and their
officers, employees and agents to exert
every reasonable effort and adopt ev.
cry available means to avoid any in.
terruption to the operation Of any
carrier growing out of any dispute
btween the carrier and the employees
or subordinate officials"
Such dispute, the bill provides
should, if possible be decided by rail-
way board of labor adjustment estIb-
ished by agreement between the -
riers concerned and the employees No
provision is provided, however, for
their organization.
The bill directs the railway boald
Of labor appeals, which would be ap
pointed ny the president, with the
senates approval, and which woulI
have central offices in Chicago, to
consider anG decide cases either Ger.
titled to it by the lower boards or
cases which the latter failed to hear.
In addition the federal board can
upon the appeal boards own mo
ton II It is of the opinion that IN"
dispute is likely substantially to in.
terrupt commerce. Investigate condi.
tions surrounding the dispute and
make a decision. Such decision, how
ever. under the bill must be con-
Cured in by at least five members,
one of whom must be OF the public
group.
The rate.making section OF the bill
stipulates that the Interstate Com
merce Commission, in establishing rates
which shall yield a return equal to
5 1.2 pvr cent of the aggregate value
of the carriers property, shall give
due consideration, among other things
to the transportation needs of the
country and the necessity under hon
est, efficient and economical manage
ment of existing transportation faci,'
ities) of enlarging such facilities In
order to provide the people Of the
United States with adequate trans
portation."
The section further provides that
during the two years, beginning March
I, 1920, the commission shall take n
such fair return sum equal to IL
per centum OF such aggregate value
but may, in its discretion add there.
to q sum not exceeding one-half Of
one percentum Of such aggregate valIe
to make provision in whole or "
part for improvements, betterments .,
equipment which according to the
accounting system prescribed by the
commission are chargeable to capital
accounts"
Determination Of the aggregate val
ue Of the property Of the carrier Tor