Evening journal., 1920-09-14
HARDING GLAUDS
RAILROAD ACT
Tells Workers Esch-Cum-
Minis Bill Is the Best
Possible
DECLARES LABOR
is PROTECTED

MARION. O., sept. it.-Reafnrming
his support OF the Esch-Cumnns act
restoring The railways 10 their own
ers, Senator Harding charged in a
speech 20 a delegation of railway
workers here yesterday that, by as
suminr control OF the roads at all
the Wilson administration had sought
to promote a policy based on-Perma-
neut Government operation.
Had The experiment proved 4 sue
cess. The Republican nominee DECLARED,
fhe administration would have favor
ed retention OF the transportation
lines and o'her public utilities uldrr
Government control. The war, ne
said had offered an opportunity TO
Try out the scheme only because II
permitted Administration officials 20
stake advantage OF the anNletles OF
The people, In asking authority 10
take over the properties.
The Senator also assailed as social
istic" and Revolutionary" the plan
supported By some labor lead rs 10
put The railways at the disposal or
The railway workers The Escl-Cum-
Minis bin. he said, was the best meas
ure Congress could work out IN the
time allotted and give to D0th ral-
guarantee OF rights.
several hundred union men. COM
posing the Harding and Coolidge
Railway Club OF Marion. were N ne
delegation and they cheered the nom-
ince as ne hit at class rule and lauded
The labor provisions OF the act.
They carried banners express ne
their support IN such. INSCRIPTIONS as
"thc government must change con-
dnciors. " "Harding viii not sldetrack
u.s. and safety frst-elect Harding.
j. w Rose berry, past pres dent OF
the local unit OF the order OF Railway
Trainmen. presented The delegation TO
Senator Harding and told him they
hoped By coming 20 prove the fallacy
Of 'ihe Impression that railway work
crs are opposed 10 your candidacy be-
cause of Your support OF The Esch-
Conceding that the act was mot
perfect senator Harding character
lied n as ".he most cOnsiderata piece
Of legislation ever enacted IN the pro-
lection Of any group OF workmen In
the United states.
"I must emphasize one OF the gross
MISUNDERSTANDING relating 10 the
Fsch-Cummins law. IL did not pro-
vide for a permanent Government
guarantee OF dividends on railway
capital on the contrary. lt placed a
limit on these dividends. 10 did pro-
vide for a maintenance OF rates FOR
period OF six months, which would
guarantee a sufficient railway earning
to make possible The financing OF
necessary railway Improvements
under The control OF their owners.
but this guarantee OF a 3 10 per cent.
earning was limited 10 a period OF
transaction of six months duration,
and was universally recognized as be-
ing necessary because OF the admitted
failure OF the Government 10 main
tain ne railways n a state OF prc
parcdncss for eflcient service.
II we had returned the railroad
without this temporary guarantee o
earnings In all probability the grea
= American system would have hee
broken down entirely, and we sh0ull
have found ourselves IN a state o
railway paralysis which the countr.
could not tolerate.
I'VE also Stipulated that theri
should be no reduction Of American
railway wages during that same pc
riod. In other words we gave tn
American railway workman nrecisel,
ne same guarantee that we gave Z
the American owners, and In nclthe
tase was this done with soil
lhourh; Of owners or workmen. bn
Congress- was thinking OF the wei
iare on an the American people. Thi
ever must be TIE thought IN mind II
dealing with any important publi
Naturally. this enactment did no
appeal 10 those radical advocates o
railway ownership or those socialist
theorists who thought the railway
ought 10 be seized by the governmen
and placed at the disposal OF On
railway workers for permanelt oner
elton and profit.
'1rhe Esch-Cummins law, made on
notably progressive step IN dealin
with the railway question. There ha
been much outcry against the act a
being hostile TO labor and unjust {,
unf0nism and subservient 20 capital
on The contrary 10 Is The very Oppo
Fitn 0f these things II does not inter
fere with collect We bargaining: on IN
contrary, II facilitates collective bar
gaining Moreover. 10 recognizes tha
railway wOrkmen ought 10 be EN-
pl0yed under the most fortunate con
ditlons for the good OF all American
people. 10. In effect provides iha
they shall be ahundantly and gener
ouslv compensated and establishes
for the first time in America a trlbul
al through which the gOvernment'i
concern for worlmen may be glver
expression"
u,fr..oov O and 20 x,nors ~ oco ,