Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1920-02-24
WILSON ASKS.
VIEW
OF RAIL BILL
Will Take Time Disposing
of Act Passed by Sen
ate 3 to 1.

Washington, Feb. 24.-President
Wilson will not act Immediately on !
the compromise railroad bill pass |
ed yesterday by the senate. 1t was
announced at the White house to-
day that the president had directed
that the measure be referred to
the department of justice as soon
as it reached the White house from
congress.
The executive has 10 days in
which to pass upon the bill before
it can become a law without his
signature. 1t is generally expect
ed that he will be urged by repre-
sentatives of the railroad brother
hoods and organized labor gener-
ally to veto the bill because of its
labor and other provisions.
Rail Men Are Restless.
Washington, Feb. 24-Threats of
a break in the affiliated railroad
employers organizations initiated
today against immediate solution
of the questions before the repre-
sentatives of the 100000 rail
workers comforting here on Presi-
dent Wilson's proposal for a set
tlement of their wage demands.
Because of the wide divergence
of views held by the committeeman
called to consider the White house
policy, executives Of the organiza-
tions admitted that they did not
know whether they could hold the
strength they had gained when it
was agreed 10 days ago that the
organizations should affiliate to
consider the proposal.
Demand for Veto Louder.
In every conference, il was said,
demands for an appeal to the pres
ident to veto the railroad BILL con-
tinued to grow more idsistent. The
leaders, therefore were confronted
with the task Of explaining to the
local chairmen the basic reasons
for their tentative acceptance of
the presidents plan, while the lat
ter were bitterly attacking the gov
! ernments general policy and the
manner in which it had dealt with
the wage controversy.
The leaders also were forced to
combat moves Of radical elements
in several directions. They said
these might take definite form at
any time.
Farmers Ask Veto.
President Wilson was asked to-
day by George P. Hampton, manag-
ing director of the Farmers Ma
tional Council on behalf of the farm
Organization affiliated with the
council, to veto the railroad bill on
the grounds of public policy"
j Mr.. Hampton's request was by
letter. He asked that the president
personally or through Secretary
Tumulty, receive delegation next
Thursday and that he defer action
on the bill until the farmers rep
resentatives have a chance to ex-
press more fully their reasons for
opposing it.
Cost Heavy for Farmers.
The president was told that the
return of the railroads would mean
an increase of -four to five billion
dollars" in the cost of living be-
cause Of the increase in freight
rates and that one billion dollars
of the increase would be passed on
, to the farmers. This increase, Mr..
Hampton said, could not be borne,
as agriculture now was in a pre-
carious' position.
Vote 5 to l for 1t.
By vote of nearly 3 to / the
senate last night passed and sent to
the president the modified railroad
reorganization bill under which the
carriers of the country will at
tempt to adjust themselves to con-
ditions arising with the end of gov
ernment control.
Thirty-two Republicans joined
with Is Democrats in voting for
adoption of the conference report,
while three Republicans and four
teen Democrats voted against it.
] There was never any doubt as to
what the senate would do, in view
of the wide margin by which the
Cummins bill, more drastic Than
the compromise measure, was
passed. The bill will go immedi-
ately to President Wilson, and the
general opinion around the capital
was that he would sign it, although
labor leaders will urge his veto.
Debate Not Intense
During the five hours of the de-
bate, led by Chairman Cummins OF
the interstate commerce commit
ltee.. senators expressed varying
opinions as to how the public and
the railways would fare under the
bill. which was warmly defended
and attacked.
| But the intense interest which
composed proceedings Saturday in
the house was lacking, frequent
quorum calls being necessary to
get members in the chamber.
Around s O'Clock the patience Of
the senate apparently was exhaust
Ell after the long session Of speech
making. and insistent demands for
vote cut short the desire to pro-
long presentation Of Individual
iviews.'