The Washington herald., 1920-02-12
SIMSPLANNING
FIGHT In HOUSE
ON RAILREPORT
Opponents Object to Con-
ference Recommendation
Of 81 Per Cent Return.
NOT TO BE PARTY ISSUE
Section SIX Bone of Conten-
ton as Both Sides Mar
tial Forces. p

The conference report on the rafl-
road bill which is scheduled 10 have
the right Of way in the House next
week. is the subject OF considerable
bitter comment in the Hobbies, ana AZ
is expected a veritable storm win
break when II reaches the floor.
Opponents and proponents are busy
lining up and educating a large num-
Der Of the members who are not fully
acquainted with the cont.ats of the
bill. Extraordinary efforts are being
made by opponents Of the measure. for
they realize the difficulty of defestinr
conference report.
Representative Sims. OF Tenne.,..
and Representative BarkIey, Of Ken
lucky. minority members on the con-
ference committee, have both announe-
ed their intention of refusing TO SIGN
the report and are making prepsra-
tions TO bring all their power to bear
to force its defeat on the floor OF the
House.
Although both Sims ana Barley
have emphatically denied report, that
they intend to make the -.IiIroad bul
party issue. it is estimated by con-
servative observers that at least two.
thirds Of the members OF the Demo
cratic side are opposed to the meas
ure-' This number includes. It Is said.
Representative Kitchin. OF North Caro-
lima, former Democratic leader. ana
probably Minority Leader Champ
Clark.
In denying that he intends 20 en-
deavor to make the question a party
issue. Mr.. Sims indicates that hs con-
siders the legislation Of far more i'm
portance than moves for political adj
vantage.
I have no intention nor desire to
make the fight on the bill a party
tight, and no intention Of getting IL
into q caucus because 1 want the sup-
port Of these Republicans to defest
the legislation" said Mr.. Sims.
A statement was issued by Mr.. Sims
4
ence report and Mr.. Barkley stated
ne would make a statement after the
hnal report was made by the confereeS-
An effort is understood TO be under
way 10 bring about a caucus Of the
Democrats, not to bind the party to
any particular stand on the question.
but TO permit both sides TO be heard
so that members who have not fol-
lowed the progress Of the bill might
have an opportunity TO review the mat
ter and make some decision before
the conference report is brought to
| the floor
The difficulty of defeating a con-
ference report. the fact that the
railroads will be turned back TO the
private owners on March 1, and the
desire OF many members TO get rid
of the problem, will all operate in
favor OF the adoption of the report.
but the determination OF its op-
ponents is a factor which is not
lbe'rg discounted by those who are
satisfied with the terms Of the
measure as finally revised in con-
ference
! Section six. which was written
into the measure by the conferees,
is the bone OF contention to which
the opponents OF the report insist
they cannot agree. This action pro-
Vides that the roads shall be guar
anteed a return OF 5is per cent on
their aggregate property value and
for the continuation Of the standard
rental in force during Federal oper-
alton for six months after the road.
are returned TO private ownership.
Its opponents charge that the
measure not only provides for the
return OF the roads but turns over
the treasury of the United States
With them.
Under the 81 per cent guar
lanteed return. Representative Sims
ipointed out, the railroads would be
lallowed TO continue the payment OF
Excessive salaries TO officials, that
they could grant every demand Of
their employees for wage increases.
and pay whatever prices are asked
for supplies, and still get a net In
come OF 5is per cent.
III the conference report. as tcnta-
,tively agreed upon. is not materially
changed. cannot sign IL, and I will
feel it to be my duty TO do every
thing I can to prevent its adoption"
said Mr.. Sims in his statement out
lining objection to the report.
Il am Internationally opposed TO
1.-THE 5Is per cent provision requir-
ling that rates on the lines Of sys-
TENS be regulated so as to pay all
Operating costs and fixed charges
and produce revenue additional
thereto that will equal 5L per cent
net income on the value OF the prop
Ierty and railroad systems"