Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1920-02-19
Railroad Reorganization Bill Re-
ported to Congress Guaran-
tees Against Any Reduction
Before September
COMPANIES SAFEGUARDED
state Com missioners Cannot Reduce
Rates and Fares within the g. Month
Period--Permanent Wage arbitration
Board Provided For

Washington, Feb 1s.--Guarantee against
any reduction In wages before next Sep
tcmber ! Is given railroad workers in the
revised draft of the railroad organization
bill reported to-day to the Senate and
House
Railroad corporal tions which are To re-
gain control and operation of their prop
critics March I arc safeguarded likewise
by the compromise measure against re-
ductions in rates and fares at the hands
of State commissions prior to Septem-
her I, the bill providing specifically
against any rate or faro reduction not ap-
proved by the Interstate Commerce Com
mission. the federal regulatory body
The redrafted reorganization measure
while not prohibitory advances either in
wages or In rates, in the opinion of the
members of the conference committee
subscribing to the majority report thus
viii tend to stabilize conditions in the
railroad industry insofar as the confer
ees deemed advisable.
Before presentation Of the conferees
report and the redra fled mea sure to the
House. where it first was received, the
section of the bill relative to wages
was interpreted as establishing the
pay of railroad employees at the level
effective when the properties are re-
turned. This Interpretation, which later
was found to he erroneous, led to hur-
ried conferences among railroad labor
leaders in Washington, despatching of
labor representatives to the capitol to
ascertain the exact provision of the
measure, and to the calling Of a con-
ference for tonight
The section prohibiting reduction
in wages under penalty before Septem-
Der ! reads:
Prior to September I, 1921, each car
rier shall pay to each employe or sub
ordinate official thereof wages or salary
at rate not less than that fixed by the
decision of any agency. or railway board
of adjustment in connection herewith.
established FOR executing the powers
granted the President under the federal
control act In effect in respect to such
employe or subordinate official immedi-
ately preceding 12:0l a. m. March l, 1921" I"
Although making public of the exact
text of the wage section removed the
necessity for to-nght's conference OF all
union officials, the entire draft of the
revised measure was considered at an in
formal conference.
Creation of a permanent federal arbi-
tration board, composed of nine members
divided equally among employees. employ
President which the revised bill proposes
was considered by many railroad experts
as simplifying solution of wage problems
TO be dealt with after return of the rail-
roads.
The House fixed Saturday for con-
sderation of the conference report. agree
ing to meet an hour earlier than GUS
tonary so a final vote might be reached
before adjournment
Representative Barkley, minority con-
feree. was given permission to file a dis
agreeing report. He served notice that
an effort would be made to send the bill
back to conference under instructions to
eliminate some of the provisions. Sup
porters of the report, however, were
confident that the report would be ap-
proved.
Chairman Cummins of the Senate COM
mission announced that the report would
be taken up in the Senate as soon as it
was sent over from the House