The Sun and the New York herald., 1920-02-18
RAILWAY BILL NOW
FULL COMPROMISE
Final Report Provides for
Voluntary Consolidation
of Private Lines.
QUICK PASSAGE LIKELY
Labor Opposition Seems to
Have Subsidcd-TwO Demo-
Gratis Are 0bdurate.

6Becidl 10 THr srS ASD NEw YoRK HERAiD.
WAsHIHGroN. Feb i7'-Senate ana
House confcrees on the railroad bill
completed the measure tonight and put
the finishing tou,hes on the conference
report. 1t will be printed tomorrow and
presented 10 both houses either late In
the dag or early Thursday. All OF the
conference managers are in agreement
with the exception Of Representatives
Sims (Tenn.), and Barclay tKyD. the
tr5 HoVse Democratic members. They
will not sign the report, and Mr.. Sims
has declared his intention OF opposing Its
adoption on the floor Of the House be-
cause Of the inclusion Of Section G.
No material changes were made in the
measure In The final days consideration
by the conference managers. The LABOR
provision hls been completed providing
FOR dispute boards wherever they are
needed. board Of railroad appeals with
three repres ,ntatlyes OF railway labor.
three representatives OF the carriers and
three OF the public 10 sit in Washington.
This board will handle all wage ques-
tlons Including the present one.
In general. as finally drafted the bill
provides:
For an enlarged Interstate Com
mcrce Commission to have closer
supervision Of railroad operations.
For q fixed percentage rate return
70 the carriers Of ~ to be calcu-
sNaH 1FT1a arr
Commission on the basis OF the ac-
lunl investment in railroad operat-
ing property, with an additional half
per cent. for non-productive Improve
ments in the discretion OF the Com
mission and division Of all earnings
N excess of per cent equally be-
tween the earning carrier and pub
lie transportation fund.
For voluntary or permissive con-
Eo'idatiOn OF the present roads or
systems along lines approved by the
Interstate Commerce Commission.
For a continuance OF the Govern
ment rental guarantee until the rate
structure is placed on the basis pro-
Tided
For the general financial adjust
ments necessary between the carriers
H4sL ll4t pONtIHlNtH
For supervision of the Interstate
Commerce Commission over rate
divisions and in general for the re-
adjustments necessary with return
OF the carriers to private control.
including the appropriation Of fund
70 meet capital requirements that
cannot otherwise be met
The fixed percentage rate return does
rot apply to the individual carriers and
does not mean that they are each to
earn the fixed return. The roads are
10 he grouped in rate territories by the
commission and the roads In each group
are TO earn the fixed return in the ag-
gregate. Some may earn much more
end some much less.
AS finally drafted the measure repre-
Eents a complete compromise of the Sem
ate and House bills The Senate bill
provided for compulsory consultations.
Tor a transportation board to divide au-
thority with the Interstate Commerce
Commission, for a fixed percentage re-
turn and a strong antl-strike provision.
Quick passage Of the bill Is anticipated.
Objections OF the labor proponents in
The House have been answered in the
new labor provision and. though labor
officials here have not yet declared
themselves, opposition from them is not
expected.