Evening journal., 1920-02-05
Speed Up REAL
Legislation NOW
Agreement on Bill Reached,
Law is Expected
by March |
NO STRIKE CLAUSE
is ELIMINATED

WASHINGTON, Feb. United Press }
"A drive for final passage Of railroad
legislation by March I, The date set by
President Wilson for return OF tho
lines TO their owners, was put under
way by House and Senate leaders today.
As the first step In this EFFORT con-
ferees, who yesterday reached virtual
agreement on the differences in the bills
as originally passed by the House and
Senate today, were hurrying the final
drafting OF their compromise, which is
10 be laid before the two branches Of
Congress the last OF this week or the
FIRST OF next.
House and Senate leaders generally
declared there was little doubt that
the railroad legislation would be
placed before the President before
March 4. Senator Smoot, OF Utah, how
ever, expressed some doubt as to
whether this could be accomplished.
Senator Cummins. chairman Of the
Senate oonfereas said there should be
no trouble in securing final passage BE-
force March T. Representative Mondeh,
House Republican leader shares Cum
Minis visws bnd said the House would
taken up the conference as soon as II is
submitted
Representative Cooper Of Ohia, a for
mer railroad brotherhood man and a
member Of the House lnterestste COM
merce committee said pressure from
the country would force action by
March 1.
Il have Just returned from a ten day
stay In my district and everywhere
I have found the demand that the
status OF the railroads be determined as
soon as Congress can aot," Cooper said,
and added that he hbd inform-d senator
Lodge, Senate leader OF The voters
views.
Senator Smoot said he feared there
would be considerable discussion OF the
railroad bill in the House, thus holding
! u UP.
In administration quarters today. It
was said there II little prospect OF the
President granting a further extension
Of government control should Congress
ifail TO act before March.
The Railroad Administration has al
ready begun preparations to wind up
It's affairs. Several hundred employees
viii probably be let go during the first
week In March. Included In the list are
lhieh salaried executives. The present
expense Of the Railroad Administration
Is about S25O,00O a month, but 10 is
hoped TO cut this 10 $4,000 a month by
May.
Director General Hines IS expected 70
continue In office for several weeks at
least after the roads are returned. The
/ railroad bill as finally agreed upon by
7 the conferees Is without the anti-strike
clause passed by the Senate. Boards OF
adjustment are provided TO settle labor
disputes. The bin further provides for
broad government regulation through
the Interstate Commerce Commission.
Financial provisions include one that
the roads for six months after their re-
( turn and for a longer period as yet un-
determined shall be guaranteed a net
! operating income OF 5h per cent or
heir actual value. Another provision Is
that the Government will set up a $780,
600 900 revolving fund for loans to the
roads during their reorganization.
Earnings OF roads in excess OF six
per cent. are 20 be divided equally be-
( tween the roads and the government
the governments share TO go into the
loan fund. Advances made to the roads
during the government control are 10
be refunded over a period or ten years.
Details OF reorganization, such as
consultations are 10 be left 10 tne
| I. C. C. The commissions membership Is
10 be increased 90 eleven 10 take care
Of added duties.