The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1920-02-18
Conference Bill Keeps War
Charges for Six Months.
Won't Allow State Boards to
Make Amy Change.
DEMOCRATS FORM OPPOSITION
Say Rate Clauses VIII Mean
Higher Charges.
Fund Provided to Make Loans
to the Roads.

Washington, Feb. 1S.-No reduction
in rates can be made for six months
after the railroads of the country are
returned to private ownership, ac-
cording to the terms of the combned
senate and house railroad bill agreed
upon by the conferees.
The conference report on the two
measures, which was submitted to the
house today, provides that the guar
anteed standard rental allowed the
railroads under federal control shall
be continued six months after the re-
turn of the lines on March /, and dur
ing the period rates now in effect will
apply. Both interstate and intrastate
rates are included, the provisions be-
ing inserted to prevent state com
missions from lowering rates within
their Jurisdiction. and causing addi-
tional losses for the government be-
cause of the guarantee.
Democrats, opposing this and other
guarantee sections of the bill, claim
that rates will not remain at the pres
ent level, but will be increased in the
future because of these provisions Eff
forts will be made by Representatives
Sims and Barkley, the Democratic
conferees, to defeat the conference re-
port for this reason.
Start Action Saturday.
Action on the conference report will
not be started in the house until
Saturday. Efforts will be made to
reach an agreement on that day, thus
allowing the senate next week to act.
in order that the measure may be sent
to the president before March l.
A summary of the important pro-
visions of the conference report fol-
lows:
A new rule of rate making is estab-
lished with the provision that the In
terState commerce commission must
adjust rates so that the roads will be
guaranteed a rate of ; Z per cent on
their aggregate property value. Any
profits above per cent are to be dt-
vided between the carriers earning l.
and government contingent fund to
aid the weaker roads.
Labor disputes are to be settled thru
adjustment boards with an equal num-
Der of representatives of both sides
with the right of appeal to a tribunal
created by the bill, the railway board
Of labor appeals upon which the pub
lie carriers and labor are represented.
All arbitration is voluntary and no
anti-strike provisions are included.
Make Loans to Roads.
A revolving fund of $500 100000 is
created for loans to the roads.
All Indebtedness during federal con-
troll is to be funded over a period not
TO exceed I ) years.
State railroad comm issions have nc
powers over any rates until six months
after control ends.
All war powers of the president with
regard to railroads are repealed.
Much greater powers are granted
the interstate commerce commission
including the right to regulate car i'm
provements to remove car shortages
TO order the joint use of terminals
the pooling of equipment, and many
other features found beneficial undel
government control. The commission
virtually has power TO relieve and NEE
any emergency in transportation con
ditions
Stock and bond issues must be ap
proved by the commission to proven
wrecking of roads.
No line can be extended or aban
doned without the commissions con
sent