South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1921-10-09
BLOC TAKES UP
REDUCTION OF
FREIGHT RATES
Railway Executives Hold I'm
pOrtant Conference With
Harding and Kenyon.
WOULD HELP FARMERS
Reduction of Wages of Rail
Workers Suggested by
Road Presidents.

WASHINGTON. oct. Develop
ments which were declared 90 pre-
sage early reduction ln railroad
freight rates and a clearing of the
railroad situation generally came
here today from several quarters
A group OF prominent railroad eN-
ecutivcs conferred today with Pres.-
dent Harding and Senator Cummins.
republican. Iowa, chairman Of the
Senate interstate commerce COM
mittee and discussed steps toward
freight rates reductions preliminary
TO the executives meeting a. Chicago,
October IA
Rate reduction also was the prin-
clpal topic on the program az a meet
ing tonight Of democratic and repub-
lean senator's comprising the unof-
fetal agreement bloc" Senators at
tending the meeting said there was
a wide and vigorous demand for rate
cuts as imperative 20 the agricultural
Interests
Senator Cummins after his confer
ence with the railway executives.
said ne believed they would adopt at
their Chicago meeting his sugges-
tions for an immediate reduction Of
freight rates so definite or formal
assurances to this effect were given
him at today's conference, he ex-
planned. but he expressed the opinion
that the reductions would be made
by the carriers voluntarily.
Wage Reduction Sought.
The carriers then. Senator Cum
Minis said. probably would ask the
railroad labor board 70 reduce wages
or appeal 70 congress for legislation
10 meet the situation caused by the
voluntary rate reductions.
The railway executives IN the con-
ference included T. Dewitt Cuyler
reDrcsenting n railway securities
holders organization; Samuel ReS
president OF the Pennsylvania sys-
tenn. President Smith. OF the New
York Central: President Holden, Of
the burlington system, and Julius
K-uttschnitt. chairman OF the South
ern Pacific.
'sThe railway executives" said
Senator Cumins after the conference
"feel hat the only substantial way
20 reduce rates is 20 reduce wages
They also feel that the wage fiXine
functions OF the railroad labor board
should be transferred 20 tho Inter
state Commences commission, which
has the rate making OF return pow
ors"
Amendment Needed.
Senator Cummins said he did no
Gather that the railway executives
favored complete adjustment Of the
labor hoard. but believed that tn
ramc federal authority which esFtab'
fishes railroad rates, or return'
should also have power TO establish
WAGES This woulS -equire amend
nent by congress Of the transporta'
tiCn act.
Reduction Of passenger rates is
not contemplated at this time in the
opinion OF Senator Cummiue. who
explained that the pressing imme
date concern for agricultural and
ALI other purposes was freight reduc-
tons. This sentiment was expressed
at tonight's meeting Of the senate
agricultural bloc.
Several other agricultural ques
lions we're before the bloc. but the
rate reduction matter was said 20 b'
predominant. Among the major fea
lures Of the agricultural relief pro
gram 10 be pressed senator's sara
were the cooperative marketing bill
representation for agriculture on the
federal reserve board and interstat'
commerce commission. and farmers
personal credits legislation.