New-York tribune., 1920-02-25

Commission are favorable to the bill.
The chief objection to the measure
comes from organized labor, whose
grievance is not against the provi-
sions of the Cummins-Esch bill, but
against return Of the railroads to
private operation.
In the past President Wilson has
been disposed to listen to what Di-
rector General Hines has had to say
it was declared to-day. This was said
TO be particularly true in the wage
demand of last summer and again a
few days ago. In these two cases the
President followed Mr.. Illness ad-
vice.
The first thing Mr.. Wilson asked for
on receiving the railroad bill from
Congress was digest of it's provisions
from Mr.. Hines. This was sent to the
White House to-day. In all probability
the bill will be referred to Attorney
General Palmer for an opinion as to
its constitutionality. This course al
ways is taken on highly important leg
lslation.
Hines Squarely for Bill
When he first became director, on the
retirement of William Gibbs McAdoo,
Mr.. Hines favored the famous McAdoo
tve-year test" proposal. But tho
President, on learning that the senti-
ment in Congress and throughout the
country was overwhel lmingly against
government ownership, announced many
months ago that the roads would be
returned to their owners the irst of
this year. Congress was unable to get
through legislation, so the time was
advanced to March /.
The question for Mr. Hines to pass
on in his recommendations to the
President was whether it would be bet
ter to turn the roads back under the
pre-war laws or under the Cummins-
Esch bill. And Mr.. Hines came out
seuarely for the railroad bill, as did
the Interstate Commerce Commission.
II Union labor is going to protest
against the President approving the
bill. The railroad brotherhoods have
been very busy the, last few days on
the question of increased wages and
defeating the Cummins-Esch bill.
The committee to see the President
will be made of radicals. AS a matter
OF fact, it can be stated with authority
that the conservatives among the rail
road men are very we'll satisfied with
the Cummins Esch bill. This is said to
be the reason that only radicals are
being put on the committee to see the
President. The conservatives realize
that they would be in a very awkward
position if they 60. to the White House
TO urge the veto"of bill which in fact
they approved. If-called upon by the
President for bin of particulars
against the measure they would be un-
able to furnish it.
Conservative Element Silent
Only the radicals in the brotherhoods
seem not to have sensed the fact that
the country is behind Congress in it's
latest effort at railroad legislation"
said one observer to-day AT first it !
was supposed that the brotherhood
chiefs, accompanied by Samuel Com |
pers, Frank Morrison and other lead
ers of organized labor, would swoop I
down on the President and make de- /
mands on him similar to those made |
on Congress after the railroad con-
ferees reached an angreement I'm |
able to bluff Congress, the more con-
servative element decided it was time to
quit. Curiously enough, Gompers and /
Morrison arc out of the city at this
time. They are in Miami, Fla. for
conference of labor leaders that can
be held without interruption. If they
had a real grievance against the Cum
bll--one tGat the country
could appsove-it is Il safe bet they
would be here now instead of in
Florida
One of the conservatives among the
brotherhood, delegates here for the /
many conferences said to-day the rank
and tile of the railroad employees
realize that big blunder was made
when the brotherhoods tied up with the
Plumb plan last summer. There is |
strong sentiment for government
ownership and government operation.
At first blush the Plumb plan-which
calls for government ownership and
operation by the employees, instead of
the government looked pretty much
ike utopia. SO the big mass of rail-
road employees cot behind the scheme.