Evening star., 1920-02-12
R. R. MEN ASK PRESIDENT
TOPUSHFIGHT ONH.
TO SEE HIM TOMORROW
RAIL BILL TOPASS,
'lSLEADERS' VIEW
Redrafting to Conform to
Conferees' Agreement Is
Completed.
By the Associated Press.

Despite reports to the contrary. con-
gressional leaders were virtually
unanimous in the opinion today that
the railroad bill as already agreed
upon by the House and Senate con-
ferees would finally be approved by
both houses with little delay and sent
to the President for his approval be-
fore the roads are turned back on
March l next.
Principal opposition to the bill. II
was conceded, would be in the House
and directed against the so-calied
rate-mabing section, under whlch a
fixed rate of return to the carriers OF
51h per cent upon the aggregate prop
erty value is prescribed. but ooth re-
publican and democratic leaders We're
confident that this would be overcome.
Senator IL Optimistic.
"Therc is no doubt of it going
through the Senate" said Senator
Cummins, chairman of the interstate
commerce committee and one of the
trainers of the bill. There is no OPP
position to the bill in the Senate other
than which was expressed when the
bill originally was up for considera :
ton. AS far as the House is concern
ed, however. l have made no effort to
ascertain what its fate there will be. v
Pomerene Also confident.
Senator Pomerene, democrat, Ohio.
one of the Senate conferees on the
bill, said he was very confident that
the conference report would be APP
proved"
while I have not undertaken any
canvass of the House." said Senator
Robinson, democrat. Arkansas, an
other conferee, Il am sure it will pass
that body. and am sure large mum =
Der of democrats will vote for the re-
port. There is no doubt of the bill be-
ing finally approved by the Senate"
Senators Watson. republican, Indiana,
and Myers, democrat. Montana, were
equally confident of che Senate agree
ing to the bill as modified by the con-
ferees, although the former added that
there is opposition to the rate liking
section, which, he said, he was hopeful
of seeing overcome.
RedraftinE Completed.
Redraftins Of the bill in order to
make it conform to the conferees' agree
ment was completed today by Senator
Cummins and Chairman Eschee Of the
House managers and at once sent to
the public printer. According to Sena-
tor Eummins the conferees will prob
ably meet next Saturday to go over the
bill for final approval. and he expects
the conferees' report 10 be submitted
either on next Monday or Tuesday to
the House, which, under the rules must
consider 1T first
Chairman Esch of the House inter-
state commerce committee and other
House leaders expressed confidence
that opposition by House democrats
would not delay passage of the meas
ure.
Some Provisions Stricken Out.
They. based their prediction upon
the fact that the bill as rewritten in
conference is substantially the same
as the Esch bill recently passed by
the House. Senate provisions to
which there was objection. Including
the anti-Strike section, creation of a
transportation board and compulsory
consultations, were stricken out in
conference. The essential addition to
the House bill was the fixing of
guarantee return of 51s per cent.
with the time already fixed by
President Wilson for return OF the
roads and the widespread demand
from the people that they be handed
back" Chairman Esch said today,
failure to enact necessary legislation
before March would be disastrous.
am satisfied, however. that the
House will adopt the conference err
port without delay"
Leader Lodge Also Optimistic.
An equally optimistic view was ex-
pressed by Senator Lodge, the repub-
lican leader.
1T most certainly will pass the
Senate. and I feel sure it will also
pass the House." he said. referring
to the conference report.
Senator Smoot, republican. Utah.
said reports that Congress would not
finnlly approve the bill as modified by
the conferees were only part of the
propaganda that has been circulated
against the bill"