Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1920-02-24
WILSON'S PROPOSAL
ON RAIL WAGES AND
BILL ITSELF SCORED
Attack Comes From Union
Officials Senator Cum
Minis Replies II Critics of
: - -<~ ---~ -~-, -1- -------
:, Measure. in Senate

WASHINGTON Feb. -23.-Presi-
dent Wilson'S proposal for settlement
of the railroad wage controversy and
the compromise railroad bill, pend
ing in the senate, were bitterly as
sailed in the conference here today
of the railroad union officials and
grievance committeeman VINO We're
called to Washington to discuss the
settlement policy laid down by the
president.
Indications were that strong ele-
ment, perhaps a majority, of the
union leaders would demand that
railroad labor stand together in an
appeal to the president to veto the
Cummins-Esch measure because of
its labor provisions. Some regarded
it as destroying all progress made
during the negotiations with Direc-
tor General Hines towards a settle
ment of their demands for higher
pay
Representative of the fifteen Or
ganizations concerned in the settle
ment proposal met IN, secret session
in as many different halls. Their
purpose was to formulate their own
views by majority rule and later
ed arguments which were admitted to
have developed in practically every
meeting, were expected to be con-
tinued in the main conference.
Cummins Defends Bill
Ignorance and malice have gross
ly misrepresented the provisions and
purpose of the Esch-Cummins rail-
road BILL" Senator Cumimns told the
senate in urging it to pass the meas
ure on which the house took final
action Saturday.
He replied to criticism of the
clause of the bill which guarantees
the roads 3 IL per cent return on
their investment, and declared he
could not understand the assaults
against the labor sections Of the
measure.
Presenting the conference report.
Senator Cummins emphasized thar
the rate guarantee section did NOT
take dollar out of the public treas.
ury.
In order to prejudice it among
the people. it has been termed a
guaranty of income," he said. '"Fhis
is not true. There is a guaranty
z IN the bill of the standard return
and against deficits continuing for
six months after the RAILWAYS are
returned to their owners; but it's ne
cessity is obvious.
THE rate-makiAg section is not a
guaranty. Not dollar is to be paid
from the treasury on account of its
provisions, and no obligation what
ever on the. part of the government
is created"
Income Dependent
He said the bill merely directed
the interstate commerce commission
that in so far as was practicable it
should make rates that would yield a
net operating income of 51a per
cent upon the true value OF the rail-
N.ay property" The income would
depend wholly upon location of the
roads, the Iowa senator pointed. out
asserting that some roads would earn
not more than per cent.
ITO call it a guaranty is to be
ef-hel mlHciously false or stupidity
ignorant" he declared
Discussing the anti-strike section
on which the senate conferees yield
ed Senator Cummins said they
yielded simply to supreme necessi.
ty,'' and that they recognized that 6
IdLlLOdu VII ncu " pass ny NdICu
or chaos would ensue."
with respect to the labor provi
sions of the conference report" Sen.
ator Cummins added, II am utterly
una BILE to understand the suppositior
which they have aroused among la
Dor leaders, for they leave all free
men, whether employees or employers
to do whatsoever they please at any
time, at any place or under any cir
cumstances.'
Mr.. Wilson today was drawing his
reply to the suggestion of the rail
road unions for an arbitration trib
unal independent of that set up il
the Esch-Cummins bill. He may sub
nit it to the railroad men today.
Rail Director Hines, who called a
the White House today for con
ference with Secretary Tumulty, il
preparing for the president sum
mary of the railroad bill.