The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1920-03-01
RATE REGULATIONS
MAY BE CHANGED
DirectOr-General Hines of
the Old Railroad Admin
istratiOn Alone Remains
With the Administrative
Forces of the Systems
After 26 Months.

Washington, D. c., March Rail
roads of the country, operating for the
first time in 90 months under their own
management, were formally notified to-
day by the interstate commerce COM
mission of the new powers delegated to
that body and of the rights and priv
ileges accorded the carriers by the new
railroad law.
The commissions announcement ex
planned that provisions of the law
against rate reductions prior to Sept.
J, without the commissions approval,
were mandatory, but that changes in
rate regulations, classifcations and
practices in which decision had been
entered by the commission would be
effective on the date designated. All
changes in rates and. classifcations ef-
fective prior to to-day will stand, the
statement said.
Washington, D. c., March 1.-The
operating division of the United
States railroad administration, the
governmental agency which for
more than two years has controlled the
operation of the nations railroad sys-
5.ems, to-day passed out of existence
With its passing at midnight the 230
lines that had been merged into what
was practically gigantic system again
went under control oil private interests,
free to operate in competition as Of
old, The transfer from government to
private control was without incident
aud there was nothing to indicate to
the travelling public that there had been
s change.
OF the staff of directors and ex-
Pcutives who controlled the roads dur
Ing government operation, Director
General Hines alone remains He will
have no authority in directing the OPP
sration OF the systems and remains
simply to clear up matters left pend
Ing when the government relinquished
tontrol. These include thousands of
r'aims, contracts and grievances vet TO
b. settled and among which are SO com
pcn,atipn contracts with various roads |
which still are the subject of negotia.
lion.
Under the so-called railroad reorgani- |
ration bill which governed the return |
VI the transportation systems to pri |
rate ownership but little jurisdiction is |
retained by the government Under |
It's terms the interstate commerce com 1
mission is given greater power to con
troll rates and compulsory arbitration |
Of labor disputes is required The /
mount OF control over their bond is
mcs. but at the same time insures
satisfactory percentage of profit and
makes it possible for the corporations
20 secure loans from federal fund set
Iside for that purpose.
Specifically, the bill authorizes the
president to settle all questions, includ
lag compensation and appropriates
F2o0,00O000 for this purpose.
Provides guarantee Of STANDARD re-
turn" TO carriers for period Of six
months after the termination Of federal
control.
Creates a revolving fund" of $780,.
100000 Tor making new loans TO car
Tiers.
Creates salaried labor board and 9th
VI machinery A0i iIE hAlltdDlf tfLLit- I
ment of disputes between employees and
Employers
Directs the interstate commerce com
mission to fix rates that will insure
return for two years of 5h per cent 10
he railroads on the value Of the aggre-
pate railway property devoted to the
public use.
Provides that If any carrier earns in
my year a net operating income in ex-
Tess of six per cent. one-half OF such
Excess must be placed in a reserve fund
lnd the other half must be paid into a
general contingent fund to be used TO
make loans TO carriers
Gives 10 the interstate commerce
commission the power to regulate the
ssue Of railroad securities.
Increases the interstate commerce
commission from nine to eleven mem
bers and their salaries from $4,000 TO
1900 a year.
Whether union labor leaders who
opposed the measure in Con
gress and later sought 70 have Presi- !
viii be decided here to-day at the con
Of the bill in the courts
Fill be decided here to-day a the con
terence Of executives of the railway !
brotherhOods. The conference was ar :
langed 70 consider the presidents reply Ia
10 their formally presented objections {
70 the bill (