The Devils Lake world and inter-ocean. (Devils Lake, N.D.) 1915-1920, 1920-02-18
Must Remain Same For Six Months
After Return To Owners---Labor
~ Disputes Are Provided For.
GUARDS AGAINST DEFICIT
Provides For Consolidation of
Roads-Will Take Care of
Claims Arising Under Gov
ernment Control. - Must
Exert Efforts to Avoid Stop
ping Operations.
(By ,The Associated Press,)

Washington, Feb. 18.-Wages es-
tablished by the railroad administra-
tion during the war would continue
in effect until September /, under the
railroad reorganization. pill, the con-
ference Of which was presented today
in the House and Senate. Under the
wage provision, the redraftment OF
which created more surprise in Con-
gress thar any other change made in
the compromise of the Esch bill. Of
the House, and the Cummins bill of
the Senate, wages would be establish
ed for six months after the railroad
property returned to private control.
The bill, as eported today, also seeks
to establish rates for sometime, pro-
viding that prior to September l, no
rates may be reduced, unless the ap-
proval of the interstate commission
is obtained.
The bill as reported today, also seeks
was looked upon with special inter-
est by members Of congress, the un-
ion leaders, and railway administers
tior men in view of the recent de-
mand of the over 100000 railroad
workers for advance in pay. Presi-
dent Wilson is supporting the con-
tention that no increase could be gran
ted or the eve of the return of the
roads, told the union that their de-
mands would be considered by CO.
mission to be provided by law, if the
wage was included in the railroad
bill, or be appointed in his own ini-
tiary way. NJ
Chairman Esch. of the House mar
agement announced today that the
conference report would be taken up
in the House Saturday, and Chair
man Cummins, of the Senate expected
it be called up in the Senate at a Ia
ter day. Despite the opposition to
the new wage section, republican lea
ders of both houses expressed belief
that the conference report would be
adopted, and the bill sert to The ,pre-
sident with little change.
The outstanding points of the meas
ure as finally agreed upon are:
Compulsory submission of labor dis
putes to a permanent Federal Board,
appointed by the president and COM
posed Of nine members equally diyid-
ed OF employees, employers and the
pupllc. No provision is made for en-
forcement of board decisions.
Adjustment Of rates by the inter
state commerce commission SO as to
yield to carriers return Of five and
ne-half per cent upon the aggregate
value of their property with another
half Of one per cent for inproyementa..
Distribution Of half Of the net rail-
road operations income, in access to
six per cent Of property value, equal.
" between carriers reserve fund and
federal rail contingent fund. which
will be administered by the commits
sion for the assistance 81 weaker roada
Government guarantee to railroads
against q deficit during the first six
months after the roads are tt turned
back. s,- As n a. ~
Permissible consolidation ~
roads IN accordance with q peneral
plan TO be prepared by the intetY Sta
commerce commission. KS: 81 ~ a'x
a Appropriatio-- Of $500, 900 Is ~ uss
ed as revolving fund, from which,
to make loans IS carriers and & nv
claims growing ont Of federal control.
Unnexpended funds now ii the rail-
road administered atiions hand 3are slso FL
g app pfcpriated for that purpose lr i ansii
q, appropftiiat ation Of $50, ,O0D ffors ttI,ie
Federal labcr3 board y providied. q
HI HI y As !. tinally agreed upon, The lahor
section provides thltt tIit shan bes tba
dns!ty of an carriers md oiicefs fisSas ssnii
sgents to exert ever, sreasonable eil|ss
Icfs al.t ABORT ever axiaiIabfs iinetaIod
"a ayat ~
1al! lij ~ q "a
A.. ana
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