Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1920-02-29
SAYS LABOR BOARD
MEANS new ERA
Tells Brotherhood Men He Does
Not Share Their Apprehen-
sion of Prejudice.
HINES REMAINS IN OFFICE
Powers Vested in President by
Law to Be Executed by
Director-General.
fDy Associated Press.

rDy Associated Prcssl
WASHINGTON, Feb. oS.-President
Wilson signed the railroad bill tonight
on the eve Of the return of the roads
to their owners and to private opera-
ton.
In proclamation issued at the time
the bill was signed, Br. Wilson vested
in Walker D. Hines. director-seneral
OF railroads. virtual yall powers con-
ferred upon the executive by the bill.
Mr.. Hines will also continue to exer-
cise the duties Of director-gencral
winch continue beyond the return OF
the roads to private control at mid
night en-. t SI11 night.
ID, me white House also made. public
recent request Of representatives OF
the railroad brotherhoods, that he ap-
~ pSin nn,, = commission ns composed equally
TO consider wage demands made by the
n prot It deals wholly with the
and does not refer directly to the ME
mortal later presented by the brother
Action Was Not Expected.
Announcement of the signing of the
BILL came after officials HAD become
convinced Mr.. Wilson did not intend
TO- 70 act tonight, although they we're
ure to become a law by the expiration
OF the ten day limit allowed for presi-
5 GENITAL apprTSyal. or to veto an act or
Presidents action on the bill was de-
lNyed' pending his completion Of his
reply to the brotherhood heads. 80
passage OF the railroad bill "made il
evident that could not act on your
suggestions until It should have been
come law or not" = 1II-sfSee =
i neG' that az LII the p, Pill should become
ton Of the wage matter ought to pro-
ceed In harmony Herewith
Way Open to Adjustment.
-, The bill having now become law.
inc way way is open for immediate action
With the terms g the bill. Section s0i
or the e11 evidently contempIates that
.ne carrissl and employees should. as
tires who wni thus constitute es ~ bi-
partisan board for the purpose Of at
solution Of this wage problem. oA
In accordance with the assurance
gave last August, and repeated in
slant. shall at once request tho tho e nm
action beiieve SUCH a. s aeln VIM Vi th re
the subject for anal disposition nur'h hG
fact, the sort. OF board thus contem.
plated by section 301 appears to be an
tee of experts which 1 have heretofore
suggested. and indeed such board.
VIII be authorized to go further than
Such committee could have gone
bipartisan Board to Help.
While 1t Is true that the provisions
OF section 307 of tho railroad bin. re-
lating to the labor board, will probably
also come into operation as to this
Wagc matter, nevertheless the bfnar-
tlsan board can mako great deal of
progre which will materially dimin-
ism Ism the time to be consumed BY the la
por board; and while the bipartisan
board Is functioning, the appointment
can No expedited.
Il cannot share the apprehension or
yourselves and your constituents as
to the provisions of the law concern
lne hhe labor board believe those
the interest OF tho public, which. after
an, Is principally composed OF workers
u be hut tS will be found
railroad employees as class
Must Get Unpre1udiced Men.
The argument that the public rem
rnesentativss on the labor. board viii
drawn from classes OF society antseos
histic to labor can and ought to he
overcome by selecting such public rep
any such prejudices. Nor do 1 antici-
pate that tho public representatives
c Ii,i be e against wage increases be-
only must public REPRESENTATIVES, he
selected who can be relied upon to do
Justice 5nst but t, the bill itself provides
rates and wages and salaries which,
in tho opinion of the board, are Just
ana aidad reasonable .,;t and it is further pros
be guided by the very. important
@ laM: those hose 81, standards Including the
IN other industries, the relation be-
tween wages and tho cost Of living.
IN, n hazards DIS, Of the employment. the
or report by. tho character and ir-
regularity Of the employment. and the
e,,It Of INEQUALITIES as the re-
Coupled with the direction to the
labor board to take into consideration
ly important direction to the commits
sion to prescribe rates sufficient TO
admit OF the payment OF the reasons
able operating expenses, including. of
course. tair rates OF wages.
Hopes New Era IL begun,
MY hopes arc that the putting into
ensct of these provisions with a care.
fully selected labor board whose pub +
the point OF view of labor that it is
no no. Longer to be conquered as a more
of new era of better unde rstanding
between the railroad managements (
and their employees. and will furnish
addtttonal safeguards tho just In
am sure that every agency which
VIII be involved In the creation OF tho
gotiations fully appreciates that The 4
wage demands are entitled to the ear
liest possible consideration and dis.8S
ticipate delay in the appointment and =
organization OF the labor board or Ia
the other necessary steps" rvs
In SeStinE Mr.. Hines with the now -