The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1920-02-24
WILSON TO DELAY
Asks Palmer About Conference
Railway Bill.
May Use All of Ten Days AL
lowed Him.
RAILWAY CHIEFS CONFIDENT
Believe President Will Veto
Because Labor Clause.
Senate Cannot Muster Two
Thirds Majority on Act.

Washington, Feb. 24-President
Wilson,will not act Immediately on the
compromise railroad bill passed yes
terday by the senate. 1t was an
nounced at the White House today
that the president had directed that
the measure be referred to the depart
ment of justice as soon as it reached
the White House from congress.
The executive has ten days in which
to pass upon the act before it can be-
come law. without his signature. 1t
is generally expected that he will be
urged by representatives of the rail-
road brotherhood and organized labor
generally to veto the bill because of
its labor and other provisions.
r.. r. Union Men Confident.
Union men today are confident the
president will veto the -Cummins
railroad bill.
The measure. passed by the senate
late yesterday and by the house Sat
urday, was expected to be sent to the
White House today
The railroad mems confidence of a
presidential veto is based on what they
interpret as promises of square
dear' made by the president last sum
mer when he asked them to postpone
pressing their wage demands pending
result of the governments effort to
bring down prices. The labor section
of the Esch- -Cummins bill does not
give them a square deal" union men
contend. and they further argue that
in passing the measure congress has
deliberately ignored the presidents
promises to them.
Awaits for Hines Advice.
What action Wilson takes on the
railroad bill will probably be influ-
enced by the advice of Rail Director
Hines. whose attitude toward it is
more or less of a mystery. Both op-
ponentS and friends OF the measure
claim his support.
In Louisville recently, Hines spoke
IN defense of government control. The
Plumb Plan league had this speech
printed and mailed to thousands Of
persons and they regarded it an ar,
gument for continuation of federal
control. Then at recent meeting at
tended by congressman and union
men. Hines was accused of being the
author of the labor sections OF the
measure Hines denied this in a letter
which was put into the Congressional
Record.
On the other hand. notification was
sent to all railroads thru Hines yester-.
day that the roads would go back to
private control March 1, and friends
of the bill took this to mean that the
president would sign the bill. Hines
sent this notice two hours before the
senate voted on he conference report.
Could Not Get Two-Thirds.
What would follow a veto is uncer-
tain 1t is generally believed that not
enough votes could be mustered in the
house to pass the bill over the veto.
But the senate apparently would over
ride it, The vote yesterday was AZ to
IT. One of the principal objections
the president probably will take into
consideration in deciding whether to
veto the bill is its guarantee to the
roads Of 51z per cent net operation
income. Some congressman consider
this provision unconstitutional. Petl-
tions have been received from farm
ers objecting to it.
1t is pointed out also that by a veto
the president might regain for the ad-
ministration the friendliness of the
by the governments coal strike in
junction.
Several hundred railroad union
officials were here touay to direct
wage negotiations with President
Wilson. Each of the fourteen big rail
unions is represented by local officials
from all parts of the country.
Conferences will continue all day.
The conferences were sectional. Of
ficials of each union met IN execu-
tive session to pass on the negotiations
with the president and devise new
plans.
A general conference of all the
unions was to be called as soon as the
sectional meetings were finished.
Chief executives of the unions expect
today. Its first section is expected to
be the sending of a letter 10 the presi-
dent asking him to veto the railroad
bill