The Alaska daily empire., 1920-02-24
RAILROAD BILL SENT TO WILSON
 FOR SIGNATURE
Labor Demands that Measure Be Vetoed by the
 President IS BLOW AT STRIKES
Would Compel Submission of Disputes to Federal
 Commission

WASHINGTON, Feb. 24.--The con- ference report on the Cummins-Esch bill for the reorganization of the rail- roads of the United States. was adopt ed by the Senate late yesterday evening, by vote of 47 to. i7.
 The bill now goes to President Wilson for his signature Organized labor headed by the railroad workers organizations, have demanded that the President veto the bill.
 Wages established by the railroad administration during the war would cantinue in effect until September 1 under the bill.
 The wage provision, pay of rail road workers would be stabilized at ter the rail properties are returned to the present levels for six months af- private control and operation. The bill also seeks to stabilize rates for the same time, providing that prior to September 1, nc rates may be. reduced unless approval of the inter- state commerce commission is ob- tained.
 The restriction on wage increases was looked upon with especial inter- est by members of Congress, officials and union leaders in view of the re-. cent demands of the more than two million railroad workers for an ad- vance in pay. ao. ~,
 Brotherhood Chiefs Confer
 The IA railroad union heads are now In conference to discuss the policy to be adopted in dealing with a commission either created by law or appointed by the president to ar bitrate existing wage controversies. as proposed by President Wilson in his recent conference with union off cials.
 The outstanding points of the measure as finally agreed upon are: Compulsory submission of labor dis appointed by the President and com posed of nine members eually divided between the employees, employers and the public. No provision is made for enforcing the boards decisions.
 Adjustment of rates by the Inter. state Commerce Commission SO as to yield to carriers return of 5k per cent, with another half of one per cent for improvements.
 Distribution of half the net rail-. way operating income increases, six per cent of the property value, annaIly hatutaan tho oarrioro roooryo fund and the federal railroad con tingent fund which will be adminis- tered by the commission for the as- sistance of weaker roads.
 Government guarantee to railroads 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. 1000 to be used as revolving funds from which to make loans to carriers and pay claims growing out of federal con. trol Unexpended funds now in the railroad administratiou's hands are also re-appropriated for that purpose and an appropriation of $50.000 for the federal labor board Is provided.
 Should Create Harmony
 The labor section provides that 1t shall be the duty of all carriers and their officers, employees and agents to exert every reasonable effort and adopt every available means to avoid any interruption to the operation of any carrier growing out of any dis pute between the carrier and the em- ployees or subordinate officials.
 Such disputes should. if possible. be decided by railwaiy boards of la bor adjustment established by agree ment between the carriers concerned and the employees.
 | The bill gives the railway board of labor appeals. which would be ap- pointed by the President with the Senate's approval power to inves tigate conditions surrounding dis
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