Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1920-02-21
both FACTIONS LINING
UP FORCES. FOR ATTACK
Republican Leaders Admit That
Margin of Votes Is TOO Close
for Comfort
THIRTY DEMOCRATS PLEDGED
Farmer Organizations File Requests
THIRTY DEMOCRATS PLEDGED
Farmer Organizations File Requests
That Government Extend Federal
ownership for Two Years to Pro-
tcct Interests of AgricuIturists.
lBy UnIversal serylcel


WASHINGTON, Feb. 2O.-One Of tho
hardest lights in recent years is cS-
pected TO develop in the House tomor-
row when the conference report on tho
raiiroad bill is called up for adoption
Leaders OF the opposing factions
have completed their task of lining up
tncir forces. and expressions of con-
nnencc came from both camps to-
surprising feature of the situa-
lion. however. was the admission of the
republican leaders that the margin by
measure is too close for comfort.d One
forecast, based on a reported check Of
members on both sides. was that the
be far. in excess of twelve. Other more
Optimistic Republicans asserted that
there Will be be- twenty-five or nifty votes
20 spare: Thirty Democrats will vote
Tor the bill; they said, while only mr.
tee, teen Repuhlicans will vote against it.
The opposition leaders included no es-
Innate In their claims. but profcssed
confidence that the conference report
Will be recommitted with instructions
an,ee strixe and 1no ire 81 per cent guar
Indications Point to Passage.
A positive forecast of the result,
therefore. is obviously impossible The
indications seem to be. however, that
the measure Will go through by small
The difficulty the Republican leaders
are ar. having IN Keeping their forces in
nGht being waged against the bill by
organized labor. Labor's announced
campaign and the resultant fear of
arc said to be giving n great many of
the, Congressman serious concern.
Tho most encouraging development
of the bill was tho decision OF half n
dozen members on that side who had
been inclined to oppose the Ia per
rano s ssa
at conference, at which the guar
antee provision of tho bill was gone
the leaders that it did not amount to a
guarantee accented.
Urges Federal Control.
On the other hand, George p. Hamp-
ton, managing director of the Farm
ers' NATIONAL Council, sent an open let
ter to all members OF Congress, oppos-
ing the bill and urging extension of
government operation OF the roads Tor
two years
Nearly every national farm orEanai-
Hamoton's letter declares, has opposed
government guaranteed dividends and
a government subsidy. which Is speci-
The attention of Congress Is called
to the further fact that nearly four
times as many members of farm or
the two-year extension of government
operation Of the railroads as havo
asked for their Immediate return. and
that they do this upon the grounds of
public policy"
Fear Rnte increases.
The letter continues:
i'The return Of the roads under the
pending bill would be a most serious
blow to our basic Neutrality-suspicious.
ture-becausc 1t involves an increase
in freight rates of 25 to 40 per cent,
which would compel farmers to o. pay
aIS- of Ia.
wear more, mo: ely for carrying farm
prolucts. than if the roads remain un-
der government operation"
gross. the return OF the roads under
tho bill as reported out by tho CON
ferecs. would place an ndditionaI 6nGden den
\ year and the guaranteed dividend
1.iii nncoiIrapa waste and inetiiciency.