The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1920-02-18
w War Pay
 IIl Effect
 T'OSept.1 {
To Stabilize Workers Wages Six Months Af-
 ter Return of Roads.
OUTSTANDING
 POINTS OF BILL

Washington, Feb. 18-Wages established by the railroad ad- ministration during the, war would continue in effect until September 1, under the rail- road reorganization bill, the l conference report on which 1 was presented today in the House and Senate.
 Under the wage provision, the re- drafting of which created more sur prise in Congress than any other l change made in compromising the 1 Esch bill of the House and the Cum | mins bill of the Senate. pay of rail- road workers would be stabilized at the present levels for six months af- ter the rail properties are returned to private control and operation. The bill as reported today al seeks to stabilize rates for the same time, pro- viding that prior to September 1 no rates may be reduced unelss approval of the I. c. c. is obtained.
 The restrictions on wage increases was looked upon with special interest by members of Congress, railroad of ficials and union leaders in view of
 
 two million railroad workers for an advance in pay.
 Despite the expected opposition to
 the new wage section, Republican
 leaders of both the House and Sen
 ate expressed belief that the con
 ference report would be adopted and
 the bill sent to the president with
 little change.
 The outstanding points of the
 measure 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 divid-
 ed between the employees, employers
 and the public. No provision is
 made for enforcing the boards decis-
 ion.
 } Adjustment of rates by the I. c. C., so as to yield to carriers return of 1-2 per cent. upon the aggregate value of their property with another 7 half of one per cent. for improve ments.
 7 Distribution of half of the net rail- l way operating income in excess of six r per cent. of the property value, equal t ly between the carriers reserve fund
 and the Federal railroad fund, which will be administered by the commits ) sion for the assistance of weaker 8 roads.
 y Government guarantee to railroads = against a deficit during the first six , months after the roads are turned e back.
 = Permissive consolidation of rail = roads in accordance with general f consolidation plan to be prepared by = the I. c. c.
 t Appropriation of $500, 900 to be q used as revolving funds from which t to make loans to carriers and pay
 claims growing out Of Federal con-
 troI. Unexpended funds now in the
 railroad administrations hand are
 also reappropriated for that purpose
 and a appropriation of S50,O00 for the
 Federal Labor Board is provided.
 As finally agreed upon, the labor
 section provides that "It shall be the r duty of all carriers and their officers, = employees and agents to exert every k reasonable effort and adopt every a available means to avoid any inter s ruption to the operation of any car l. Tier growing out of any dispute be- $ tween the carrier and the employees or $ subordinate officials
 $ Such dispute, the bill provides, = should, if possible, be decided by railway boards of labor adjustment n established by agreement between e the carriers concerned and the em- g ployes. No provision is provided : however, for their organization. $ The bill directs the railroad board = of labor appeals, which would be aip- d pointed by the President with the l. Senate's approval, and which would r. have central offices in Chicago, to L. consider and decide cases either certi-
 fled to it by the lower boards or cases
 which the latter failed to hear. In
 addition the federal board can, "upor ; the appeal boards own motion, if il is is of the opinion that the dispute is :. likely substantially to interrupt com d merce,' investigate conditions sur e rounding the dispute and make a de cision- Such decision, however, under Il the bill must be concurred in by al
 least five members, one of whom must ,f be of the public group.
 I. The rate making section of the bil Ii stipulates that the interstate com I, merce commission in establishing l rates which shall yield a return s equal to 5 1-2 per cent. of the aggre
 gate value of the carriers property . ttshaI1 give due consideration, among
 other things, to the transportation 70 needs of the country and the neces sity, Nunder honest, efficient ana economical management Of existing ut u transportation facilities), of enlargins e such facilities in order to provide tht
 people of the United States with ade ,N quate transportation" T. The section further provides "tha 'e during the two years beginning e' March 1, 1920, the commission shal } take as such fair return a sum equa rs to 5 1-2 per centum of such aggre gate value, but may, in it's discre l. ton. add thereto a sum not exceeding T. one-half of one per centum of sucl I'd aggregate value to make provision in in whole or in part for improve
 ments, betterments or equipmen
 which, according to the accountinE
 system prescribed by the commis
 sion, are chargeab1e to capital ac as count
 Determination of the aggregat' 1 value of the property of the carrier 'n for rate-making purposes IS left tt lg the commission with the provision ey that it shall give the property in te vestment account of the carriers, onl! ct that consideration which it is entitled n to under the laws in estaonsh1nt tn values for rate making purposes r. When any carrier receives TOT any