The news scimitar. (Memphis, Tenn.) 1907-1926, 1920-02-18
Union Men to Meet.

In the belief that a wage commission
would be empowered to take up their
demands, the IA railroad union heads
have called conference to he beld here
beginning Monday TO discuss the policy
to be adopted in dealing with such a
commission, To ascertain II the rail-
road executives would agree TO turning
over the wage controversy to such
commission, Director General Hines
has requested a committee OF railroad
officials to confer with him here tomor-
row.
Chairman Esch, OF the house mana
gers, announced today the conference
report would be taken up In the house
Saturday and Chairman Cummins, Of
the senate managers. expects to call II
up in the senate at later date. De-
spite the expected opposition TO the
new wage section, Republican leaders
of both the house and senate expressed
belief the conference report would be
adopted and the bill sent to the presi-
dent with little change.
The outstanding points OF the meas
ure as finally agreed upon are:
Compulsory submission OF labor dis
putes to "A permanent federal board ap-
pointed by the president and composed
of nine members equally divided be-
tween the employees, employers and the
public No provision Is made for en-
forcing the boards decision.
Adjustment of rates by the interstate
commerce commission SO as to yield
10 carriers return of So per cent
upon the aggregate value of their prop
erty with another half Of per cent for
improvements.
Distribution of half the NET railway
operating income In excess OF G per
cent Of the property value, equally be-
tween the carriers reserve fund and
the federal railroad contingent fund,
which will be administered by the
commission for the assistance OF weak
er roads,
Government guarantee TO railroads
against a deficit during the first six
months after the roads are turned back.
Permissive consolidation Of railroads
in accordance with general conSolida-
tion plan to be prepared by the inter-
state commerce commission.
Appropriation OF $500, 900, 900 to be
used as revolving fund.- from which to
make loans TO carriers and pay claims
growing out OF federal control.
Unexpended funds now in the rail-
road administration hands are also re-
appropriated for that purpose and an
appropriation OF $50 400 for the federal
labor board Is provided,
As finally agreed upon. the labor sec
| tion provides at shall be the duty of
all carriers and their officers. employees
and agents 10 exert every reasonable
effort and adopt every available means
| to avoid any interruption to the opera
| tion Of any carrier growing out Of any
dispute between the carrier and the en-
ployes or subordinate officials
Such dispute, the bill provides, should
! II possible be decided by railway boards
! Of labor adjustment established by
! agreement between the carriers CON
! cerned and the employees No provision
, IS provided, however, for their organi-
| cation.
| The bin directs the railway board oi
| labor appeals which would be appointe ed
. by the president with the senate's APP
| proval and which would have centra
| offices in Chicago. to consider and de-
| eide cases either certified to IL by the
| lower boards or cases which the latter
| failed to hear In addition the fedora
| board can, upon the appeal board
| own motion, II il is Of the opinion that
| the DISPUTE is likely substantially tc
| interrupt commerce." investigate condi-
| tions surrounding the dispute and make
| a decision Such decision, however
under the bill must be concurred in by
| at least five members one Of whom
\ must be OF the public group.