The Powder River County examiner and the Broadus independent. [volume] (Broadus, Mont.) 1919-1935, 1920-02-27
REACH AGREEMENT
/ ON RAILROAD BILL
SENATE AND HOUSE coNFEREEs
DECIDE TO DROP ANTI.
STRIKE CLAUSE
PASS LAW BEFORE MARCH 1
Rate. Making Provisions Of Measure
Are Also chanQed.--compulsory
Arbitration Of Labor Troubles
Is Provided for

Washington. Feb. 5.-Casting aside
the anti-strike provision of the Cum
Minis bill. against which labor has lev
eled protests and threats. and nu,li-
flying the rate-muking clauses of the
same measure. senate and house rep
resentatives yesterday reached virtual
~ II complete agreement on legislation
designed to meet conditions growing
out of the roads return March Ia
private control.
For the anti-strike provision the
joint conference committee of the tw"
houses agreed to substitute what in
effect amounts to compulsory suhmi>-
sion Of wage disputes to Il federal
board appointed by the president.
Efforts will be made tn expedite con-
sideration Of the report in both houses
in order to insure the bills passage be-
fore March l..
Reaching Of an agreement on the
Esch bill. passed by the house. and the
Cummins bill. enacted by the senate.
broke. Il deadlock that has existed Sev-
eral weeks. due principally to the
house confereeS' refusal to accept the
anti-strike provision of the latter
measure. House members also have
opposed the senate ratemaking section.
In agreeing on labor provisions the
conferees struck out the clause Of the
senate bill which would virtually make
strikes illegal 10y penalizing railroad
employees and employers for entering
into conspiracies for the purpose of
interfering with interstate commerce..
and provided in lieu there Of settle
ment of labor disputes by boards COM
posed equally of employees and EN-
ployerS. The findings of these boards
must be approved by Il federal board.
probably of five members. appointed
by the president. with the senate> al,-
prevail, to which appeals must be
taken in cases where agreements are
not reached by the other boards.
All classes of railroad employees.
Senator Cummin> said. are to have
representation on the lower wage
,boavlSs Since the movement will not
be represented on these boards. the
senator explained. settlement of labor
disputes cannot be made compulsory
by them. hut it is compulsory that in
event of disagreement that the dispute
be referred to the federal board for.
settlement.
Under the agreement on the rate
making section. Il return of five and
one-half per cent on the net railway
operating income is guaranteed for IL
period from IS months to two years
after the bill becomes Il law. The eN-
act period will be fixed later by the
conferees. The senate bill prescrihe,i
Il five-year period.
Provision is also made in the COM
promise that with the approval of the
interstate commerce commission. one
half Of one per cent of the earnings
sible for the earnings and used for
such unproductive improvements rs
erection of terminals or elimination
of grade crossings. Fifty per cent IF
the earnings in excess Of the six per
cent will so to the railroad producing
the excess return. while the other half
goes to II railroad contingent fund. al
ministered by the commission and used
for the purchase of rolling stock and
other equipment. to be rented to the
weaker roads, to whom loans from this
fund also may be made.
The bill. as compromised. further au-
thOriZes the interstate commerce com
mission to prescribe rates which will
yield revenue by which this fixed re-
turn may be guaranteed. and after the
termination of the period during which
this return is effective. the commission
is authorized to agree on the percent
age of return and fix rates accordingly.
in order to insure its continuation.
The conferees also agreed. with
slight modification. CD the PoindeNter.
long and short haul amendments.