The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1921-02-07
W|LSON-REJECTS
PLEA Of LABOR
CHIEF EXECUTIVE CITES RE-
CENT STATUTE GRANTING
POWERS TO INTERSTATE
COMMERCE. COMMISSION AND
RAILROAD LABOR BOARD
PRESIDENT TURNS DOWN AP.
PEAL TO INVESTIGATE Exc:
CUTIVE CLAIMS

Washington, Feb. 6.-President
Wilson today refused the request OF
railroad labor union representatives
that he investigate railroad execu-
tiyes' claims before the railroad la
Dor board that the carriers must adj
Just wages or face bankruptcy. He
also deslined to submit the matter
to congress.
The president set forth his posi-
tion on the appeals made to him in
telegram addressed jointly to two
of the railway labor unions and to
the Association of Railway Execu-
tives, who also had sent communi-
cation to the White House.
Confidence was expressed by the
president that all questions dealing
with railroad labor and manage
ment might be left safely to the
two bodies entrusted under >the
transportation act with such mat
ers 44the railroad labor board with
the interstate commerce commits
sion. He accordingly informed the
labor and carrier representatives
that he was submitting copies of
kilograms received from them to
!. these two bodies as "the only action
deemed necessary"
The presidents telegram read as
follows: -' T..
81 have carefully considered the
several kilograms addressed to me
dealing with the labor questions and
railroad management now under
consideration by the railroad labor
board in Chicago.
Commission Has Power
"The transportation act approved
February %, 1920, to greater ex-
. tent than any previous legislation,
places all questions dealing with fl
nances and railroad management
and necessary rates under the juris-
diction of the interstate commerce
commission; hence all questions in
volving the expense ofJoperation,
the necessities of the railroads, and
the amount of money necessary to
secure the successful operation
thereof are now under the jurisdic-
ton of the commission. At the same
time, the act places all questions Of
dispute between carriers and their
employees and subordinate officials
under the jurisdiction of the rail-
road board. now sitting in Chicago.
This board is composed of three
members constituting the labor
group, representing the employees
and subordinate, officials Of the car
riers; three members constituting
the management group, represent
ing the carriers; and three members
constituting the public group, repre-
senting the public. So far as I am
advised the board may be relied on
to give careful and intelligent con-
sideration Of all questions within its
jurisdiction. To seek to influence
either of these bodies upon any
thing which has been placed within
their jurisdiction by congress would
be unwise and open to grave objec-
tion.
Not Deemed Wise
ut would be manifestly unwise
for me. therefore, to take any ac-
ton which would interfere with the
procedure eof the interstate COM
merce commission OF, of the railroad
labor board; and all the matters
mentioned in your telegram are
within the jurisdiction of one or the
other Of these bodies and in their
action think we may Irepose entire
confidence.
"In ivew of the foregoing, it does
not seem wise to comply with your
suggestion that the matter be sub
mitted to the congress and the only
action deemed necessary is to sub
NIT copies Of the kilograms re-
ceived from you and from the rep
resentatives of the railroad execu-
tives to the interstate commerce