Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1920-02-19
RAILROAD MEMS WAGESNOT
TO BE CUT BEFORE SEPT. /,
BY REORGANIZA TON BILL
lBy MORNING JonrnaI specIaI Leased Mlrel

Washington Feb. 1S.-Wages es-
tablished by the railroad admins
tration during the war could not
be decreased until September /, un-
der the railroad reorganization bill,
the conference report on which
was submitted today to the house
and senate.
The Till as revised by the confer
ence committee also seeks to sta =
bilize rates during the same six
months period, providing that
prior to September l no rates may
be reduced unless approval of the
Interstate Commerce commission is
obtained.
The fourteen railroad union
heads have called a conference to
begin Monday to discuss the policy
to be adopted in dealing with a
commission, either created by law
or appointed by the president to
settle wage controversies. Director
General Hines has requested a
committee of railroad officials to
confer on the subject with him to-
morrow.
The outstanding points of the
measure as finally agreed upon are:
Compulsory submission of labor
dispuates to a permanent federal
board appointed by the president
and composed of nine members
equally divided between the en-
ployes, employers and the public.
No provision is made for enforcing
the boards decision.
Adjustment of rates by the inter
state commerce commission so as to
yield to carriers a return of IL
per cent with another half of per
cent for improvements.
Distribution of half the net rail
way operating income increases, 6
per cent of the property value,
equally between the carriers re-
serve fund and the federal railroad
contingent fund which will be ad-
ministered by the commission for
the assistance of weaker roads.
Government guarantees to rail
roads against a deficit during the
first six months after the roads are
turned back.
Permissive consolidation of rail
roads, If approved by the Interstate
Commerce commission
Appropriation of $500,000.000 to
be used in revolving funds from
which to make loans to carriers
and pay claims growing out of fed
eral control.
Unexpended funds now in the
railroad administrations hands are
also appropriated for that purpose
and an appropriation of $4,000 for
federal labor board is provided.
The labor section provides that
''it shall be the duty of all carriers
and their officers, employees and
agents to exert every reasonable
effort and adapt every available
means to avoid any interruption to
the operation of any carrier grow
ing out of any dispute between the
carrier and the employees of sub
ordinate officials.
Disputes should, If possible be
decided by railway boards of labor
established by agree
ment between the carriers con-
Cci ileu anu tie efilplOyeS.
Determination of the aggregate |
value of the property of the carrier /
for rate-making purposes is left to |
the Interstate Commerce commits |
sion with the provision that it
shall give to the property invest
ment account of the carriers, only
that consideration which it is enti-
tied to under the law in establish
ing values for te-making pur-
poses. When any carrier receives
FOR any year net railway operat-
ng income of excess of 6 per cent !
Of the value of its property. one
half of such excess goes to the |
carriers reserve fund while the |
-est goes to the federal railroad /
fund which is to be used |
Dy the commission in making loans !
% railroads or for the purpose of |
transportation equipment Or facili-
lies and leasing the same to car
riers.
The bill greatly widens the COM
power and increases the |
membership from nine to eleven
commissioners With an increase