The New York herald., 1921-10-29
Rail Wages and Rates
Should Be Reviewed To-
gether, Is View.
QUESTION BOARDS VALUE
President Expresses Satisfac-
tiOn at Outcome of Strike
Menace.
Special Despatch to THE NEw York HERALD.
New York Herald Bureau

New York Herald Bureau,
Washington, ID. c., Oct. %.
A general revision of the transpor-
tation act is regarded by AdmiDistra-
ton officials as desirable to meet any
/ uation.
Consideration was given to the mat
ter by the Cabinet to-day. and it was
officially stated that the issue of a
change Of the law was a very live
question.
There is a movement under way in
both the Senate and House Interstate
Commerce committees for amend
ments to the act providing for a con-
solidation of the Interstate Commerce
Commission and the Railroad Labor
Board. to have these two divergent
but interdependent functions OF gov
ernment brought into one SO that rail-
road rates and railroad wages could
be reviewed together.
| Administration officials regarded it
as necessary in any event to move the
Railroad Labor Board to Was shington.
Members of the board. when tley were
summoned here for conference, COM
planned to the President and others that
| they were out Of touch and the board
as Government body should be sit
rated in Washington. where it could
work with related Government agencies.
The Labor Board was located in Chi
m ra for copvapio1ca for ai1rcad
and labor representatives WHO would
have 10 appear before it. Chicago was
regarded as a central point. Separation
Of the board from other Government
functions is not now regarded as prac-
ticable. however.
President Is Pleased.
President Harding EXPIRE ssed himself
to-day as highly pleased with the out
come of the strike. He would make no
comment. however, other than this.
Administration officials are not yet
convinced that the present adjustment
! answers the question whether OF not the
| Railroad Labor Board was ~ futile or
ganzation. 1t Is agreed that the settle
ment indicates the usefulness of the
machinery created for handling labor
questions in the compromise between
the Senate and House on the labor Sec
ton of the transportation act.
It Is probable that determined effort
will be made in Congress with. Admins
tration support TO enlarge the powers of
the Labor Board to an extent which will
permit full protection for the public
through some form of compelling both
sides In a labor controversy affecting
the railroads to submit the questions at
issue for just decision before duly con-
stituted body. The Administration does
not favor punitive measures that might
| be regarded as a club or which would re-
quire law enforcement through arrest or
other proceedings. but Is seeking to
create machinery that will be able to
handle any situation that may arise
through a guarantee of justice and the
punitive powers of we'll defined public
opinion.
| With the strike situation out of the
way as an emergency the President and
his advisers are expected to give Inn
mediate attention to railroad funding
legislation to start again the forward
progress that was being made by busi-
ness and industry when the threatened
strike gummed the wheels.
Funding Bill to Help.
The President and his advisers be-
lieve the passage of the funding bill
would. by STRENGTHENING railroad credi,
! and giving the carriers cash with which
to settle their obligations. purchase new
| equipment and begin new construction
start an incipient Industrial boom. as II
would mean iron and steel business. EN-
ployment for many thousands and O
! general passing down the line to work
| ers and business everywhere Of the ad-
vantages to be derived from greater
railroad business. The railroads are the
| greatest buyers of Iron, steel, coal and
| construction materials.
| Secretary of Commerce Hoover to-day
revealed the existence of national or
ganization which the Government built
up In anticipation of the strike to in
sure the movement of necessities and
| to prevent a food shortage and profiteer-
ing. This organization plan includes
cooperation by all the forces of the Fed
eral Government from President Har.
ding down. plus the assistance of State
| Governors. leaders in basic industries
and local and county and municipal off,
ciaIs. With every detail completed the
organization was ready to sweep into
action In every section of the country
when the union leaders at Chicago yes
II y. = n Al.