Evening star., 1920-02-22
HOUSE ADOPTS RAIL
COMPROMISE BILL
REPORT, 249 TO $50
Continued from First Page.)

| oomplished for them what Congress
] never had done for any other busi-
| ness. "the fixing of rates which would
guarantee them against the hazards
| of business"
enactment of this law with a pro-
vision instructing the Interstate Com
| merce Commission as to rates is
Legislative indictment of the commits
| sion lodged against it by the railway
security holders" Mr.. Barkley declar-
ed. ut is untrue that the Inter-
state Commerce Commission in the
past has repressed or held back divi-
dends necessary to create credit
| among the railroads of the United
States.
There is no difference between
levying taxes to be turned over to
holders of railroad stocks and telling
he Interstate Commerce Commission
to let the railways tax the people
direct.
The result of this legislation means
that the American people must pay
two and 4 half billion dollars to the
railroads in order that roads manipu-
lated by special interests may pay
dividends They have attempted to
decency by providing that il any
honest road. under just rates. earns
more than per cent, We will TAX e
half of the excess and devote 1t to a
fund to loan inefficiently managed
roads or to purchase equipment to be
! leased to them.
Representative Burke. republican.
Pennsylvania, attacked the bill as 'an
insult to members of Congress who
believe in justice and a square deal
for the common people. He declared
it gave the railroads everything they
desire
Mr.. MOndelIs Views.
Representative Mondell, the repub-
lican leader declared the bills
Fundamental and basic soundness is
practically unanimously admitted"
the opposition to it being consider
able difference of opinion with regard
to some of it's details"
Not word" of the labor provi
sions, Mondell continued. "can reason
man."
compusion in the bill" he added 'If
the bill has any faults at all it is
the fault of furnishing overelaborate
provision for the submission and con-
sideration of labor questions, but no
man is required to either submit his
grievances or to be controlled by the
decisions of the agencies which are
provided.
mo man can afford to vote against
this conference report except the man,
IL any such there be, who is SO en-
amored of public ownership that he
is willing to invite nationwide dis
tress and disaster. beginning the first
Of March. in the vain hope that out of
the wreck will come government own
ership."
There were insistent demands for a
vote on the bill after delivery of the
principal speeches and while time
was being allotted speakers in three
and five minute patches. Meanwhile
members were going out and there
was barely quorum in attendance.
Blanket leave to print addresses in
the Congressional Record was
granted.
Demands for Vote.
Representative Sims. democrat. Ten
nessee. in charge of the fight on the
bill. fixed time for those desiring to
speak. and as he called names on his
list without response the shout Vote.
vote" grew more insiStent. Four
names were sung out and nobody re-
piled.
"Then Til take the floor myself
temporarily" said Mr.. Sims. and.
turning to the chair. said: please
call me in fifteen minutes"
Attacking the labor provisions. Mr..
Sims charged they absolutely invite,
encourage and will bring out strikes"
He urged that the labor sections, IL
included. should have some persua-