Capital journal. (Salem, Or.) 1919-1980, 1920-02-18
RAIL WAGES MAY STAND UNTTT Sept !
PRESENT SCALE IS
FAVORED, REPORT.
is GIVENLN TODAY.


tablished by the railroad administra-
tion during the war would continue
in effect until September 1 under the
railroad reorganization bill, the con-
ference report on which was pre-
sented in the house and senate.
Under the wage provision, pay of
railroad workers would be stabilized
at the present levels for six months
after the rail properties are returned
to private control and operation. The
bill also seeks to stabilize rates for
the same time, providing that prior
to September l no rates may be re-
duced unless approval of the inter-
state commerce commission is OBJ
tained
Conference Called
The restriction on wage increases
was looked upon with special inter-
est by members of congress. railroad
officials and union leaders in view of
the resent demands of the more than
two million railroad workers for an
advance in pay.
The fourteen railroad union heads
have called conference to begin
Monday TO discuss the policy to be
adopted in dealing with commission
either created by law or appointed by
the president to arbitrate existing
wage controversies as proposed by
President Wilson in his recent con-
ference with union officials. Director
General Hines has requested COM
mittee of railroad officials to confer
on the subject with him tomorrow.
Chairman Esch, of the house man.
ayers, announced today that the CON
ference report would be taken up in
the house Saturday--and Chairman
Cummins Of the senate managers, ex-
poets to call it up in the senate at
later date.
Findings Summarized
The outstanding points of the meas
ure as finally agreed upon are:
Compulsory submission of labor
disputes to a permanent federal board
appointed by the president and COM
posed of nine members equally di-
vided between the employees, employ
ers and the public. No provision is
made for enforcing the boards decis-
ion.g
Adjustment of rates by the inter-
state commerce commission so as to
yield to carriers a return of " per-
cent with another half of one per-
cent for improvements.
Distribution of half the net rail-
way operating income increases, six
percent of the property value, equally
between, the carriers reserve fund and
the federal railroad contingent fund
which will be administered by the
commission for the assistance of
weaker roads.
Government guarantee to railroads
against deficit during the first six
months after the roads are turned
back.
Permissve construction Of roads,
Iif approved by the interstate COM
merce commission.
Labor Board Provided
Appropriation OF $500. 900, 600 to be
used as revolving funds from which
W MAXI lOdHS 10 tdTIleIb anu pay
claims growing out of federal con-
troll. Unexpended funds now in the
railroad administration hands are
also re-appropriated for that purpose
and an appropriation of $4,000 for
the 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
adopt every available means to avoid
interruption to the operation of any
carrier growing out of any dispute be
tween the carrier and the employees
or subordinate officials"
Such dispute should II possible be
decided by railway boards of labor
adjustment established by agreement
between the carriers concerned ant