The evening herald. [volume] (Albuquerque, New Mexico) 1914-1922, 1920-02-26
WILSON URGED
TO VETO THE
RAILWAY BILL
Brotherhood Chiefs Call
At White House To
Present Memorial
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WASHINGTON Feb. 26-Rcpro-
scntntiyes Of the railroad brother
hoods called at the white house to-
day TO present a memorial TO Prcsi-
dent Wilson urging that he veto the
compromise railroad bills. They were
Joined by representatives Of the
Farmers National council who sup
plemented,a "A previous request for veto
with written argument.
The visitors ala not see tho prcsl-
dent but were received by Secretary
Tumulty who promised to hay the
memorials and other documents be-
fore the executive.
The brotherhood memorial set
forth the reasons why the more
than 2O0O,UOO railroad employees be-
ncye the president should veto the
railroad bill ana return u to con-
Ersss."
why They Oppose BnI.
The memorial sail the bin violated
thc fundamental principles of the
American government by guarantee
Ing Co the uwucr- of the railroad
securities "a right To charge rates that
would produce q minimum net return
Of live and one hulf per cent on that
NNNN ~ NAANN MNNA ANlNNaNA ANNf NANANNNf
aggregate valuation.
This is grant Of particular
exclusive and special privilege act
not enjoyed hy investors IN other
kinds Of securities, the memorial
said.
vigorous opposition was expressed
To the provision OF the bill establish
ing "a tribunal for settlement Of labor
disputes the memorial sayiug this
"a ID In IsNFlMR rail-
road employees of their former lin
hprpnt right TO determine their
Wngcs by negotiation between cm-
uiovp and employer
Operation Hf the measure, II was
said, would cause un unreasonable"
delay" lu settling tho present wage
demands. bpguua, The unions would
have 10 Pre- sent their demands anew
t0 each of the 2 600 privately owned
railroads.
would Promote Unrest.
The memorial also spt forth that
m, "iuvuuiucs. uncertainties. delays
and umhiguitios." OF the bal would
promote unrest and intensity existing
causss ut dlsuEr,cmout and prevent
thV orderly adjustment Of grcNan-
eos.
Finally Il was charged that tho bin
ubropntod the right and freedom ut
collective bargaining and substituted
am indefinite and uncertain method
of compulsory adjustment or urhiuu-
ton ui disputus.'
Farmers Objections.
George T.. Hampton. managing di-
rector OF the Farmers National
council presented the arguments
Tor that organization. tie said the
hll contained vicious provisions am
tagonistic To American principles.
Permission for merging the roads
would almost inevitably result in
uu Increased return ON false capital
izatlOn." he declared. The instruc-
lions To the Interstate commerce COM
mission 90 fix rates To yield "a not
income uf 3 % per cent. hc continued
gives carriers good basis iur de-
muuding very nigh rates since the
"Nact effect of increasing rates Iu
reducing the volume Of trunic can
NOT bc forecast"
Other objections outlined were
that the rights granted the railroads
under the hill created for them a
new property right estimated us
worth To- them at least six billion
dollars, and placed heavy carry
charges ON the people.
The guaranteed dividends is not
only an invitation hut In encCt
mandate 10 extreme waste and in
efficiency cutailing cost to the
people OF nearly N-uuh,uuu gay.
The hil, BE- enacted would check
production and "muitat" against aE-
riruliurc and nll other legitimate au-
thority in America
Farmers Have M Guarantee.
H l.. Bissonnotto, president of tho
Iowa stat, branch OF tho American
society Of Equity, accompanied Mr.
Hampton,
Farmers have to take risks oi
. their crop falling every year In or
der to feed the nation he said
The outstanding debt against farm
values ls between sis and seven bil'
lion dollars and the average rate al
interest lis eight per cent The gov
crnmeut does not guarantee this In
tcrcst charge of about 100000. .oO'
q year 10 farmers. Why should th'
government underWritv the whole In
Nvstment of the railroads.