Free trader-journal. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1916-1920, 1920-02-18
WAGES and Rates
PROBLEM LEFT
HANDS OF BOARD
Washington Feb l8.-Wagcs established by
the railroad administration during the war would
continue in effect until Sept. | under the rail-
tBy the Associated fress)

Sept. ! under the rail
road reorganization bill,
the conference report on
which was presented to"
day in the house and senate.
Under the WAGE provision pay OF
railroad workers would be stabilized
at the present levels for six months
after the rail properties are returned
10 private control The bill also
seeks to stabilize rates for the same
time providing that prior to sept.
no rates may be reduced unless ap
Ir0val of the Interstate commerce
commission IS obtained.
Chairman t,sch Of the house mana
gers announced today that the con
ference report would be taken up ~
the house Saturday, and Chairman
Cummins Of the senate managers eN+
poets to call it up in the senate at
later date, Despite the expected op-
position to the new wage section, he"
publican leaders expressed belief mat
the conference report would be adopt
ed and the bill sent to the President
with little change.
The outstanding points of the meas
ure as finally agreed upon are:
| Compulsory subm ssion of labor dis
putes to permanent tedefal poaro
I appointed by the President and com
posed OF nine members equally divld
ed between the employees. employers
and the public No provision is made
for enforcing the boards decision.
Adjustment Of rates by the inter
state commerce commission so ~ 10
yield to carriers a return OF 5h2 per
/ cent upon The aggregate value OF thelr
property with another half of | per
/ cent for improvements.
Distribution Of half the net railway
operating income in excess OF per
cent OF the property value, equally be-
! tween the carriers reserve fund ant
the federal railroad contingent fund.
which will be administered by tue
commission for the assistance OF
weaker roads.
/ Government guarantee to railroads
against deficit during the first six
months after the roads are turned
back.
Permissiye consolidation Of rail
consolidation Plan to be prepared by
the inters ate commerce COMMISSION.
Anpropraition OF $500,o00,0 900 to he
used as revolving funds from which to
make loans 10 carriers and pay claims
growing ont ol federal control IN.
cXnpudcd funds now in the railroad
administration hands are also reap
propratcd Tor that purpose and an ap-
preparation of $o0tJo lor the iedefal
labor board is provided.
As finally agreed upon. the laoot
section provides thai 1T shall be th2
dufy uf all carriers and their ON
rcIs. employees and agents to exert
every reasonable effort and adopt
rIpry available means TO avoid any
interruption to the operation OF any
carrier growing out Of any dispute oo'
tween the carrier and the employees or
5 subordinate officials.
such dispute, the bill provides
should IT possible be decided Dy ralE
I way boards of labor adjustment c3tao'
Iishpd by agreement between the car
I rtprs concerned and the employees. No
= provision is provided, however. Tor
+ their organization
/ The hin directs the railway board
. ,r l,h,,, .npsoIl 4, hirh WDulu be ap
,"3 ~ ,a'9' "pi th,, t,ro.idont WIN the sen
.,,,.,.'aI ,,d y,1ich would have
.,,,..I "',. ,'l pa,an. IN (birarn tn consido,
. o'ri la,i,}a c.,.a. either certified 10 il
u an" "'','',.' ','',.. t..d or cages which
~ VS.. ,,,,..I 80, Ho,,
',,.,l,i,r. .nrtinn of the ac
.ti.n,,,,. mai The intprstates com
& "'' '''''''' .,,,,,',,.fnn IN eetahlishin,
II rates winch had Elelu leLuii