The Birmingham age-herald., 1920-02-20
EMPLOYES HOLD
 REDRAF TED BILL
 DESTROYS LIBERTY
Representatives of 15 Rail Unions Call on Congress to Defeat Measure In
 Entirety
By Associated Pres.

By Associated Press
 Washington, February 1s.-organized railroad workers and union labor. in general holding the redrafted railroad reorganization bill to be destructive of the employees constitutional privileges and liberties, tonight called on Con gress to defeat the measure it's en- tirety. % Representatives of the rail- road unions at the close ' all-day conference, attended by . mt Com pers and Secretary Mo of the American Federation eyS .bor, made public memorial to ess embody- ing this declaration
 ''The pending S' eprives citi- zens employed Always of the invioIate right to .njoy gains of their own industry. The returns to
 capital are fixed upon an arbitrary basis, the rate which the public
 must pay and wages which labor
 must receive must accomm odate themselves to this basis fixed for
 capital. This net makes the public and labor subservient to capital.
 For these reasons heresn set form
 and many others, we request and respectfully urge that the bill be
 defeated in its entirety
 MAY CARRY FIGHT TO WILSON
 During the all-d conference infor- ination was given out that letters of protest against the wage provisions of the bill would be sent to President Will son and Director General Hines. Later it was decided to make the fiSst fight in Congress, and intimations were given that if defeated there, the workers then wolud carry. the battle to the White House, hoping that the President might veto the legislation.
 E The memorial addressed to the people of the United States as well as the two houses of Congress, declares that the bill in enunciating a principle for bas- ing the financial return of investors subverts the principles of American government. This provision, the memo rial holds, would constitute "an aban- donment of government for the common good, the establishment of government for private interest, special privileges and class benefits
 Provisions of the measure for arbitra-
 
 of the manner in which the special arbi- tration boards would be constituted, and because of the way in which they would operate. The arbitration boards, in- cluding the permanent federal board of nine members, might be so composed, the memorial declares, as tsoeiiminate labor from representation. Procedure of these boards as set forth in the bill, the memorial declares. as to eliminate i,f; Ia tn ch q nG
 COOPERATION PLEDGED
 While the labor representatives were ir session Director General Hines, in conference with committee of leading railroad executives, received pledge of their cooperation in the establishment of committee of experts to gather data bearing on the wage problem. The ex- ecutives expressed desire that solution of the wage problem be expedited, and MT. Hines said that the time and method of constituting the committee of experts would be recommended to the President as soon as conference with the railroad union officials could be held
 Forecasting at least one aspect of the final fight to be made on the reorganiza- ton bill in the House, Representative Barkley, democrat, Kentucky, filed late today a Statement of reasons for refusing to join in approving the conference com promise measure, which he attacked as conferring financial favors" on the car riers that would force increased rates az gregating $1,25o00o,o0o and add to the cost of living generally.
 With Representative Sims, democrat Tennessee, who also declined to sign the report, MT. Barl<ley will lead the floor fight on the bill, in which most of the democrats are expected to be supported by few republicans Proponents of the measure, however, were confident that the compromise bill will be approved by the House before adjournment~ Saturday.
 COURSE INCONCEIyABLE
 The financial favors.' MT. Barkley charged, were to be attributed to the work of .high-salaried agents of rail- way security holders, who have camped or the doorsteps of Congress for more than a year" Attacking the financial provisions of the bill. in this connection. Mir. Barkley declared: It is almost in- conceivable that Congress could be in- duced to adopt suchNa course, referring particularly to the provision that rates yielding per cent on the book value of the roads. with any excess earpings, be divided between the carriers and the government so as to create jackpot" to aid weak lines.
 In his statement, the Kentucky rep resentatiye revealed that the conferees on railroad legislation expect Congress soon to be asked for an appropriation of $500. .000. 900 to wind up the affairs ofAthe railroad administration. In this connec- tion he said that exact statement of these financial needs was expected to be given the House Saturday.
 Representatives of the railroad labor unions meet tonight with friendly menl- bers of the House to discuss the com promise bill. During the day many mem bers of Congress received letters and tele- grams from union leaders urging that
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