The evening herald. [volume] (Albuquerque, New Mexico) 1914-1922, 1920-02-18
ACT FORBIDS
WAGE INCREASE
FOR s MONTHS
Unions Call Meeting To
Consider Effect OF
Legislation

WASlilNGION, Feb. iS. ~ A
meeting Of the heads OF the fif.
teen railroad employees oreaniza-
tions has been called for tonight
TO consider the conference report
on the pending railroad bssl with
view to determining what effect
the bill as amended will have on
the recent agreement between
President Wilson aud union off
eials regarding demands for wage
increases.
WASHINGTON. Feb. Is.-waeen
established by the railroad admins
trRiion during the war. would con-
tinue until September I. under the
railroad reorganization bill. the con-
Terence report on which wns pre-
s.n'ed today IN the house aud SEN
under the wage provision. pay OF
fnlirohd workers would be stabilized
az tho present levels for six months
after the rail properties are retuned
70 private control and operations,
The bill also seeks to stabilize rates
Tor the same time. providing that
prior TO September I no ratca NAV he
reduced unless approval OF the inter-
STATE commerce commission Il OBJ
The restriction on wage lncreare.
was looked upon with especial In
terest BY members Of congress. rail-
road officials ana union leaders in
view OF the recent demands OF the
more than two million railroad work.
ers for an advance lie pas.
Conferences Monday.
he Naaaam
have called y conference TO begin
Monday TO discuss the policy 10 bo
adopted IN dealing With "a commission,
either created by law or appointed
ny the president to settle waee con-
trovcrs.cs. Director GeneraI Hines
has requested a COMMITTEES OF rail-
road gnic,ais to confer on the sub
lect with him tomorrow.
The outstanding points OF tho
measure as finally agreed upon as:
Compulsory submission OF labor
disputes 10 permanent federal
board appointed by the president and
composed OF nine members equally
divided between the employees. em-
ploycrs ana the public. No provision
cision.
Adjustment of rates by the inter-
state commerce commission 70 as TO
yield to carriers a return OF 4 per
cent with another half OF one per
cent for improvements.
Distribution OF half the net rail-
way operating income increases, six
per cent OF the property value, equal
~ between the carriers reserve FUND
and the federal railroad contingent
fund which will ae administered By
the commission for tho assistance OF
weaker roads.
Government guarantees 10 rail-
roads against deficit during the first
six months after the roads are turned
back.
Permissive consolidation Of rail-
roads. " approved by the interstate
commerce commission.
Appropriation OF $500 .00o, 900 to ha
used as revolving funds from which
70 make loans to carriers and pay
claims growing out OF federal con-
troll.
unoxpended funds now IN the rail-
road administrations hands are also
appropriated for that purpose and
an appropriation OF $4,000 for the
federal labor board Is provided.
Labor section.
The labor section provides that 'ie
shall be the duty " all carriers and
their Officers. employees aud agents
to exert exery reasonable efort and
adopt every available means 10 avoid
any interruption 70 the operation oc
any carrier growing out OF any dis
put between the carrier and the em-
ployes or subordinate officials.
Disputes should. II possible be de-
cided by railway boards OF labor
adjustment, established by agreement
between the carriers concerned and
the employees.
Determination Of the aEEregata
value OF the property OF the carrier
for rate making purposes Is left TO
the Interstate commerce commissions
with the provision that II shall give
10 the property Investment nccounr
/ OF the carriers, only that cOnaidera-
tion which " 10 entitled TO under tho
law In establishing values Tor rate
making purposes. Wheus any CARRIER
receives for any year net railway
/ operating income Of excess Of six pee
cent OF the value Of It's property ono
half OF such excess goes TO the car
ricrs reserve fund while the rcsE
goes 70 the federal railroad conun-
gent fund which Is to be used by
tho commission In making loans 10
railroads or FOR the purchase ut
transportation equipment or facilities
and leasing the same TO carriers.
The bill, greatly widens the com-
Missions powers and Increases thu
membership from hine 20 eleven cons
| missloncrs with an increase tronl
sio.oOO 70 $4,000 In annuai salary
10 I'rc-s Bili.
In presenting the report, Senator
/ Cumminn served notice that no
would call Il up In the senate immed-
lately after the house acted on a.
"it is probable the house Will dis.
Z pose OF the report next saturday 20
said
When they learned OF the pfovisi
I 10 continue present wuRra 60 rtiirt 4 1
workers FOR six months after Ma ca
J., railroad brotherhood retrt g. ntl..
4 (Oo..tinuod un page ,..V.l