Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1920-02-19
RAILROAD RETURN BILL PROTECTS
 R, R, WORKERS Contains Guarantee Against Wage Reduction Before
 Sept. l. RAILWAYS ASSURED
 OF PRESENT RATES Measure Does Not Prohibit Advance, Either in Wages or Trans portation Rates-Labor
 Satisfied


 against any reduction in wages be- fore next September 1 is given rail- road workers, in the revised draft of the railroad reorganization bill, re- ported today to the senate and house.
 Railroad corporations, which are to regain control and operation of their properties March 1, are safeguarded likewise by the compromise measure against reductions in rates and fares at the hands of the state commissions prior to September 1, the bill provid ing specifically against any rate or fare reduction not approved by the interstate commerce commission.
 The redrafted reorganization measure, while not prohibiting ad vances either in wages or in rates, in the opinion of the members of the conference committee subscribing to the majority report, thus will tend to stabilize conditions in the railroad industry in so far as the conferees deemed advisable.
 Labor Chiefs Satisfied.
 Before presentation of the con- ferees' report and the re-drafted measure to the house, the section of the bill relative to wages was inter- preted as establishing the pay of railroad employees at the level effec- tive when the properties are return ed This interpretation, which later was found to be erroneous, led to hur- ried conferences among railroad labor leaders in Washington, despatching of labor representatives to the capi- tol to ascertain the exact provision of the measure, and to the calling of conference for tonight of off cials of the fourteen railroad unions, together with Samuel Gompers and Frank Morrison, president and secre- tary, respectively, of the American Federation of Labor. The labor lead CTS, on learning that an advance in wages was not precludcd between March l and September 1, under the bill. generally expressed satisfaction With the provision against any re- duction. of pay within the next six months.
 The house fixed Saturday for con sideration of the conference report, agreeing to meet an hour earlier than customary so final vote might be reached before adjournment.
 Representative Barkley, democrat, or Kentucky, minority confereee, was given permission to file dis agree report. He served notice that an effort would be made to send it pack to conference under instructions to eliminate some of the provisions. Supporters of the report. however, were confident that the report would be approved.
 Up In House Saturday.
 Chairman Esch, of the house managers announced today that the conference report would be taken up Tn the house Saturday-and Chair man Cummins, of the senate mana gers expect to. call it up in the sen ate at later date. Despite the ex- pected opposition to the new wage section, republican leaders of both she house and the senate expressed Dehet that the conference report would be adopted and the bill sent to the president with little change
 The outstanding points of the measure as finally agreed upon are:
 compulsory submission of labor dis putes to a permanent federal board appointed by the president and com posed of nine members equally di- V,ded betweeH the employees, em- ployers and the public. No provis- ion IS made for enforcing the boards
 
 Adjustment of rates by the inter- scate commerce commission as to yleid to carriers, a return of 5 1-2 per cent upon the aggregate value of .neir property with another half of ohe per cent for improvements.
 To Divide Income. f
 Distribution of half the net rail- way operating income in excess of SIX Der Nonf nf x,o1, equally between the carriers reserve fund and the federal railroad con tlngent fund which will be adminis- tered by the commission for the as- issuance of weaker roads.
 Government guarantee to railroads against deficit during the first six back.
 Permissive consolidation of rail- roads in accordance with a general consolidation plan to be prepared mission.
 appropriation of $500 ,OOO, ,OO0 to be used as revolving funds from which .o make loans to carriers and pay .iaims growing out of federal con tlci unexpended funds now in the lSiiroad administrators hands are also re-appointed for" that purpose ana an appropriation of $5O,000 for the federal labor board is provided.
 The Labor Section.
 AS finally agreed upon, the labor ssctlon provides that "it shall be ene duty of all carriers and theil oIIlcers, employees and agents to exert every reasonable affort and aoopt every available means to avoid any interruption to the operation of any carrier growing out of any dis pute between the carrier, and the employes or subordinate Officials"
 such dispute, the bill provides, snouid if possible, be decided by aailway boards of labor adjustment eestaDilshed by agreement between sne carriers concerned and the em- ployes. No provision is provided, nowever. for their organization.
 me bill directs the railway board M !eDor appeals, which would be sppolnted by the president with the K ~ 's7-->rsr-->->>
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