The citizen-Republican. (Scotland, Bon Homme County, S.D.) 1???-19??, 1920-03-04
RAILROADS WENT
BACK TO OWNERS
WITHOUT FURRY
Labor Heads Dissatisfied
When Wilson Signed Bill on
Eve Of Return-No Changes
Due at Present.

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Washington, March s.-Railroads OF
the country operating for the first
time in 26 months under their own
management were formally notified
today by the Interstate Commerce
Commission Of the new powers dele
gated to that body and of the rights
and privileges accorded the carriers
by The new railroad law.
The commissions announcement
explained that provisions of the law
against rate reductions prior to Sep
TENDER ], without the commissions
approval were mandatory, but that
charges in rate regulations, classifi-
cations and practices in which de-
cision had been entered by the COM
mission. would be effective on the
date designated.
All changes in rates and classified
tons effective prior to today will
stand, the statement. said.
by the terms of the railroad bill
signed by the president late Satur-
day the railroads were restored to
their owners last night Railroad
administration officials in all parts
of the United States at that hour
formally turned over to local execu-
tiveS the management of the rail
systems.
Director General Walker D. Hines
remained at his desk here today,
ready to handle hundreds Of COM
pensation claims by various small
roads, claims for damages and other
grievances incurred during govern
ment control. This will keep him
busy until May /, he estimated. But
the complicated machinery Of the
United States railroad administra-
ton had practically all been scrapped
and only a comparatively few clerks
were needed today to carry on the
work of closing the books.
Executives of the railroad unions
who fought vainly against the Esch
Cummins bill, first at the capitol and
later at the White House remained in
Washington today, their wage de-
mands still unsatisfied They were
to meet to decide what to do next.
The president in a letter to them,
issued just after the signed the bill
pointed out that it makes provisions
for settlement of wage demands
through setting up a joint tribunal
OF employers and employees and a
labor court. The president urged the
railroad executives to prepare to
submit the entire wage controversy
to such a tribunal.
The president assured the execu-
tiyes he would make ever effort to-
hasten organization of the joint tri-
bunal and the labor court which
will have power to review the find
ings of the joint tribunal.
Wage increases will take months
to negotiate under the labor pro-
visions OF the bill, the union execu-
tives declared.
Their deliberations are expected to
require several days This will give
them time to hear from the subor-
dinate officers of the local unions as
to the desires of the rank and file of
the 100000 rail workers.
Union executives are against drastic
measures now. They feel that public
sentiment would not be sauarely be-
hind them if strike was called
In its, first Interpretation Of the new
Esch- Cummins law, the Interstate
Ca!nnae rces commission today served
notice on the railroads that rate re-
auctions approved before the law
went into operation will be effective
before September l. 1920. although the
new law prohibits reduction before
that date.
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