The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1920-02-19
COMPULSORY ACTION
ON LABOR DISPUTES
Govern m ent Guarantee
Against a Deficit During
First Six Months After
Roads Are Turned Back
to Private Owners Is Also
Provided.

Washington, d. c., Feb. l9.--Wages
established by the railroad administra-
tion during the war would continue in
effect until Sept. /, under the railroad
organization bill, the conference re-
port on which was presented to-day in
the house and Senate.
Under the wage provision, the re-
drafting Of which created more sur
prise in Congress than any other
change made in compromising the Esch
bill of the House and the Cummins bill
of the Senate, pay of railroad work
crs would be stabilized at the present
levels for six months after the rail
properties are returned to private con-
troll and operation. The bill as re-
ported to-day also seeks to stabilize
rates for the same time, providing that
prior to Sept. | no rates may be re-
duced unless approval of the interstate
commerce commission is obtained,
The restriction on wage increases
was looked upon with especial inter
est by members of Congress, railroad
officials and union leaders in view Of
the recent demands of the more than
two million railroad workers for an
vance in pay. President Wilson in
supporting the contention that no in
crease could be granted on the eve of
the return of the railroads, told the
union leaders that their demands would
be considered by commission to be
created by law If such a provision was
included in the railroad bill or to be ap-
pointed on his own initiative if no le-
gal provision were made.
In the belief that a wage commits
sion would be empowered to take up
their demands, the Ia railroad union
heads have called a conference to be
held here beginning Monday, to discuss
the policy to be adopted in dealing with
such commission. To ascertain if
the railroad executives would agree to
turning over the wage controversy to
such commission, Director General
Hines has requested a committee of
railroad officials to confer with him
here tomorrow.
Chairman Esch of the House manag-
ers announced to-day that the confer
ence report would be taken up in the
House Saturday--and Chairman Cum
ms of the Senate managers, expects to
call it up In the Senate at a later
date. Despite the expected opposition
to the new wage section, Republican
leaders of both the House and the SEN
ate expressed belief that the confer
ence report would be adopted and the
bill sent to the president with little
change.
The Chief Points of the Bill.
The outstanding points of the meas
ure 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 divided
between the employees, employers and
the public. No provision is made for
enforcing the boards decision. I
Adjustment of rates by the inter
state commerce commission so as TO
yield to carriers a return of 51a per
cent upon the aggregate value of their
property with another half OF one per
cent for improvements.
Distribution of half of the national
railway operating income in excess of 6
per cent of the property value, equally
between the carriers reserve fund and
the federal railroad contingent fund
which will be administered by the com
mission for the assistance of weaker
roads.
Government guarantee to railroads
against a deficit during the first six
months after the roads are turned
back.
Permissive consolidation Of railroads
in accordance with a general eonsoli-