Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1920-02-19
RAILROAD RETURN BILL PROTECTS
 R. R. WORKERS
lContinued From Page D.

tOONClnu9Q FTOm HGOe l ].
 ~~~~~~ .~~~~o~c-o-o-@>o~~~~~~ senate's approval and which would have central offices in Chicago, to consider and decide cases either cer- tified to it by the lower boards or cases which the latter failed to hear. In addition, the federal board can, upon the appeal boards own motion if it is of the opinion that the dispute is likely substantially to interrupt commerce, investigate conditions surrounding the dispute and make a decision. Such decision, however, under the bill must be con- cured in by at least five members, one of whom must be of the public group.
 Rate Making Section.
 The rate making section of the bill stipulates that the interstate commerce commission in establish ing rates which shall yield return equal to 1-2 per cent of the aggre- gate value of the carriers property shall give due consideration. among other things, to the transpor- tations needs of the country and the necessity (under honest, efficient and economical management of existing transportation facilities) of enlarging such facilities in order to provide the people of the United States with adequate transportation. .' The section further provides "that
 during the two years beginning March l, 1920, the commission shall take as such fair return a sum equal to 1-2 percentum of such aggre- gate value, but may, in it's discre- tion add thereto sum not exceed ing one half on one percentum of
 such aggregate value to make pro- vision in whole or in part for inn provements, betterments or equip-
 nent which according to the account ing system prescribed by the com , mission are chargeable to capital account" Valuation With Commission Determination of the aggregate value of the property of the carrier for rate making purposes is left to the commission with the provision for rate making purposes is left to the commission with the provis-
 ion that it shall give to the property investment account of the carriers,
 only that consideration which it is entitled to under the law in estab- fishing values for rate making pur- poses. When any carrier receives
 for any year net railway operating
 income of excess of per cent of | fhn vo1r1o nf x%xv
 half of such excess goes to the car
 riers' reserve fund while the rest
 goes to the federal railroad contin- gent fund which is to be used by the commission in making loans to rail-
 roads or for the purchase of trans. leasing the same to carrietaoihtl( (vd-- portation equipment facilities and leasing the same to carriers. s6s In order to enable the commission
 to administer more efficiently fed
 eral regulation the bill as agreed upon, greatly widens it's powers and increases the membership from nine | to II commissioners with an in- crease from $10,000 to $12,0OO in annual salary.
 The commissions increased pow CTS include the following:
 ] Supervision over the issuance of railroad securities, the commits
 sion's approval being required be- l fore railroad can issue stock o1 bonds.'
 Establishment of minimum rail
 rates, the commission up to this time having had only power to establish 1 maximum rates. This power will enable it to prevent carrier from
 conducting "cut throat" competition Authority to make such just and
 reasonable direction with respect to car service in times of emergency as will best promote the service in the l public's interest.
 Authority to compel the joint or common use of terminals to give
 direction for preference or priority in transportation, embargoes or
 movement of traffic under permits. 1 Approval of new construction or abandonment of railroads.
 l Complete control over railroad op- eration throughout the United States in lease of war or threatened war; the bill provides would be centered in the commission which would have
 powers similar to those now exer- cised by the railroad administration The Wage Provision. l The section prohibiting reduction
 in wages under penalty before Sep 1 tember 1, reads:
 "Prior to September 1, 1920, each carrier shall pay to each employe or subordinate 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 there with was establish
 ed for executing the powers grant ed the president under the federal
 control act, in effect in respect to
 such employe or subordinate off cial immediately preceding 12:01 a.
 m, March 1, 1920"
 Altho making public of the ex- act text of the wage section remov-
 ed, the necessity for tonight's con-
 ference of all union officials, the
 entire draft of the revised measure was considered at an informal con- ference. The union heads in ad- vance of thorough digest of the measures provisions declined to com
 ment.