New-York tribune., 1920-02-21
Railroad Bills
Early Passage
Seems Certain
First Test Is Due i'm House
To-day; as Leaders of
Both Parties Agree, Fa-
vorable Action Is Likely
Farmers Continue Fight
Fear Increase in Rates:
l.ahor's Opposition Raises
Doubts as to Sincerity


the Congressional conferees is con-
ldently expected by leaders of both
parties. 1t will be taken up by the
House to-morroV under special rule
for five hours debate, at the end of
which the test will come on a motion
to send the bill back to the committee
with instructions to make it more ac-
ceptable to organized labor
There was a slight flare-up showing
some of the feeling to-day, when Rep
resentative Blanton, of Texas. demanded
to know il Samuel Gompers, president
OF the American Federation of Labor
was going to be permitted to run
Congress.
As matter of fact, the friends of
labor III the House are not heartiiv
in sympathy with the demands of the
unions that the bill be sent back to
committee for rewriting. Many mem
bers OF both Houses who normally will
vote for anything labor wants believe
down in their hearts that labor is not
sincere in its opposition to the terms
Of this bill, but that it is really de-
sirous o. having government owner
ship extended for several years and
is taking this method of forcing it.
Possibility of Panic Feared
Failure of the bill would mean. those
holding this view point out, either the
turning Of the roads back to private
ownership under present conditions.
which might produce a panic, or the
government deciding to hold on to the
roads IN order to avert that possible
panic. These members of the two
houses believe that it is the latter
course which the railroad unions are
counting or.
One member Of the House who holds
union card admitted to The Tribune
correspondent to-day that he and many
Of ms colleagues are placed in an en-
barTass.ns position by the labor de-
maHds.
Il don't believe in government owner
ship Of railroads." he said. 81 think it is
much better for labor in the long run if
private ownership is continued Further.
lido not believe this bill is really bad for
Labor at all. I do not think it is q
perfect bill b. any means. but I do not
see vaere the labor leaders have anv
particular KICK on it. l say this after
havlng studied the bill carefully and
having the interest of the laboring men
a. heart
---"ARt--i tItSlE are many members
o. tae House who agree absolutely with
my view Of this bill. we will make lot
Of trouble for ourselves politically if
we oppose the labor leaders and give
the bill Our support.
Not Sure cf Course
Just what we are going to do am
not sure, bat | think it is a safe pre-
dlction to make that the bill will be
passed. Personally, if can, am going
TO vote 20 send the bill back to COM
mittee-providine it is reasonably GER
tain the motion 10 send the bill back to
committee will be beaten. Ii it is doubt.
ful [ may have to take the political
risk and vote for the bill straigh.
through. ! would not like to have on NV
conscience that was responsible,
through my vote being decisive, for
either preci pitatinS a panic or for con-
'inu n@ covernme<l ownership"
IAere IS growing irritation among
members of both houses against the rail-
road administration as being RESPONSE
bic for part Of the political danger i'm
posed on men voting for the bill In
the cloak rooms it is pointed out that If
the railroad administration had put the
roads or elf-sustaiD;ns basis, by rails
ing rates sufficiently to meet the in
also the increased costs OF materials,
there would now be no clamor from the
orCanized farmers for the defeat of the
Oil or for continued government oper-
alton.
representatives, of organized farmers,
II IS believed, are really working on the
theory that II government operati ton is
continued the railroad administration
VIII continue the present financial
scheme, calling for hundreds of millions
70 be raised by taxes every year to make
Doth ends meet, instead of raising rates
10 make the roads self-sustaining.
Farmers Oppose Bill
George P. Hampton, managing di-
fector Of the Farmers National Coun-
Gil, made public to-day an open letter
10 members Of Congress opposing the
pending conference railroad bill, and
asking members Of Congress to work
Tor The two-year extension of govern
ment operation of the roads. MIR.
hampton states that nearly every ma
tonal farm orgaa zation of any size,
regardless of Its position on the re-
1urn OF the roads, has apposed the gov
sefAmcnt guaranteed dividends and a
government subsidy, which is spe-
c'hca!ly provided in this railroad bill
winch lnstructs the Interstate Com
'"eice COMMISSION to fix rates which
viii yield 5ls per cent on the aggre-
sa'e value of the railroads and permits
,hem to add not TO exceed one half of
PEI cent of such aggregate value as
guaranteed dividend"
AS managing director of the Farm
ers National Council" says state
ment issued by Mr.. Hampton, land on
eehaf of the 100000 members of the
larm organizations united in this coun-
cli TO carry out thoir reconstruction
program" Mr.. Hampton calls the at
sehtion OF Congress to the precarious
position OF agriculture. He cites the
4acs found by the Department of Agri-
culture that $4,000 farms were aban-
aohed IN the State of New York alone
ouflhg the last year, and the primary
ea"se was that they were Improbable.
Many Quitting Farms
tie says that scores OF thousands of
'he farmers are leaving their farms be-
.euse farming is not a paying PROPOSE
uon, and says the return of the roads
under the pending bill "would be a
most serious blow to our basic industry