New-York tribune., 1920-02-22
House Adopts
Rail Bill by
25O-l5O Vote
Continued from page 1


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to tho American people, who will &C
cept no quibbling and hair-splitting ex-
cuses for our failure to stand firm In
this moment, when sound, constructive
policies are in the balance"
|, Representative Esch. Of Wisconsin,
chairman of the House Committee on
Interstate Commerce and head of the
House confeees, in calling up the con-
ference report, said that railroad ad-
ministration estimates place the loss
through government operation at $685.
100000.
1.-THE governments total expenditures
Tor additions and betterments up to
March l, when Federal control ends,
amount in even numbers to S1,162 900,
O00," said Mr.. Esch. "The government
expended 1872 100000 for new equip
ment. which included 100000 freight
cars and 1900 LOGON olives, ali of which
were allocated to the several carriers.
OF this sum $15,O00,O0O has been paid
IN cash by some carriers, leaving q
balance for equipment of 1857 900, 900
which the government has expended.
"The net excess Of operating ex-
penses and compensation to the car
riers over the operating revenues of
all the roads up to March I is 1884,
100000. There Is due the corporations
in interest and open accounts $1,442,-
10000, against which can be applied
interest due on government notes and
open accounts and additions to better
ment and indebtedness, Of 500 ,000, 900,
making the net sum that must be paid
the roads under the terms Of the bill
$3.50. 100000.
after set-offs there will be owing
the government on account of addi-
tions and betterments, $4,000, 900;
allocated equipment, 1857, 100000, and
other indebtedness which will be rep
resented in long time notes or one
year notes, $239. 100000; a total Of
$915,000,0O0. The total amount which
the government must appropriate to
make up what may be considered a
shortage Is $536,000,000. If the $780,
will leave $8S6,00o,000 to be appro-
priated.
.In short, the government as re-
suit Of our experience under Federal
control will have appropriated $1,900,-
100000 and over. Of that sum $780,
100000 represents what already has
been appropriated; add 100000, 900
and it will make it S1450, 100000 The
difference of $636,000,00O will practi-
calIy have to be charged Off as war
cost.
"There may be those who will say
this Is an expensive experiment. So it
is. And yet, it is worth the price, be-
cause without the railroads during tho
war transportation would have failed
and we would not have been able to
supply our soldiers abroad. So that
the war cost that we must charge off,
$636,OO0,000, is what we pay for the
railroads part in winning the war"
Discussing the machinery to settle
labor disputes, Mr. Esch said:
There is nothing in the conference
bill Of an anti-strike or compulsory
character. The only thing that can be
done by the railway labor board is to
subpoena witnesses to make a thorough
investigation. We provide for volun-
tary creation of adjustment boards,
either By single road or by group
Of roads, by single railroad en-
ployees' organization or by a group Of
railroad employees organizations, and
these Adjustment boards shall have
jurisdiction over disputes and other
matters Of discipline, Nt not as to
matters of wages.