Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1921-10-09

wages or appeal TO congress Tor le-
gislation to meet the situation caused
by the voluntary rate reductions.
The railway executives In the con-
ference included II. Dewitt CuyIer,
representing railway securities
holders organization; Samuel Rea,
president OF the Pennsylvania sys-
tenn; President Smith of the New
York Central; President Holden of
the Burlington system. and Julius
Kruttschnitt, chairman or the South
ern Pacific.
"The railway executives" said
Senator Cummins after the confer
ence. feel that the only substantial
way to reduce rates ~ 10 reduce
wages. They also feel that the wage
fixing functions Of the railroad labor
board should be transferred to the
Interstate Commerce Commission,
which has the rate making, or return
powers"
Senator Cummins said he did not
gather that the railway executives
favored complete abolishment of the
labor board. but believed that the
same federal authority which estab-
lished railroad rates or returns.
should also have power 70 establish
wages. This would require amend
ment by congress Of the transnorta-
tion act and may be brought up lat
er. after the Chicago conference.
The railway executives at Chica-
go, the senator said he understood,
would zeal in Representatives of agri-
culture, shippers, commercial and
other organizations" TO discuss the
rate and wage questions. The car
riers, he said. would probably seek
the support of these interests in the
event they should agree to reduce
freight rates voluntarily and appeal
TO the labor board for wage reduc-
tions and to the Interstate Commerce
Commission for rate adjustments.
Reduction Of passenger rates IL not
contemplated at this time. in the opin-
ion of Senator Cummins, who ex-
planned that the pressing immediate
concern for agricultural and all other
industries was freight rate reduc-
tions. This sentiment was expressed
ut tonight's meeting OF the senate
agricultural "bloc'" Proposals for
calling up the matter in the senate
soon were said 10 have general en-
dorsement among the bloc.
Several other agricultural ques-
tions were before the bloc. but the
rate reduction matter was said to be
predominant. Among the major fea-
lures of the agricultural relief pro
gram 70 Be pressed, senators said,
were the cooperative marketing bill,
representation for agriculture on the
federal reserve board and Interstate
Commerce Commission and farm
ers personal credits legislation.
Under discussion among members
Of the agricultural bloc are propos-
aIs for amendments tO the railroad
debt funding bill, soon TO come be
fore the senate. providing definitely
for reductions. The funding bill was
not discussed with the railway exc
cutive today, Senator Cummins said,
but was considered BY the Interstate
Commerce committee for two hours
with action deferred until next We'd
nesday. The question Of allowance OF
railroad claims for 'inefficicncy on
labor" during federal railroal opera
tion was the principal subject before
the committee today. members in
sisting upon amendment Of the pend
ing bill 20 a. to preclude definitely
presentation of such claims against
the government.
The agricultural bloc at its meet
ing tonight decided TO defer action
on railroad rates questions until next
week when another meeting viii be
held.
Action. however, was taken on p
program Of farm relief measures.
Chairman Kenyon announced that IL
was decided to take from the bank
ing committee and bring into the
senate bill BY Senator Fletcher
democrat. Florida. to increase farmer
credits, together with another Of the
farm loan board. The latter bill also
would reduce the boards membership
from six To four
A report was received from Eu-
gene Meyer jr., director of the War
Finance Corporation Of his recent
trip throughout the country and It
was decided to urge extensive loans
through the finance corporation.