Great Falls tribune. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1921-current, 1921-10-09
WIDE. DEMAND
FOR CUTS MAY
BRING RESULTS
Agricultural Bloc Is
Busy Trying to Help
Western Interests.
Railroad Executives
Confer With Harding
on Present Situation.

j 0xIAokxOxks
Washington, Oct. 8.-De-
velolments which were de-
'clar9d to presage early reduc-
tion in railroad freight rates
and a clearing of the railroad
situation generally, came here
Saturday from several quar-
ters. @~~.
A group of prominent rail-
road executives conferred with
President Harding and Sen
ator Cummins, Republican,
Iowa, chairman of the senate
Interstate Commerce commit
tee, and discussed steps to-
ward freight rate reductions
preliminary to the executives
meeting at Chicago October ID.
Rate reductions also was the princi-
pal topic on the program at meet
ing Saturday night of Democratic and
Republican senator's comprising the un
official agricultural bloc Senators
attending the meeting said there was a
wide and vigorous demand for rate
cuts, as applied to the agricultural in
terests.
Senator cummins, after his confer
ence with the railway executives, said
he believed they would adopt at their
Chicago meeting his suggestions for an
immediate reduction of freight rates,
no definite or formal assurances to this
effect We're shown at the conference,
he explained, but he expressed the
opinion that the reductions would be
made by the carriers voluntarily.
Will Need Help.
The carriers, then. Senator Cummins
said. probably would ask the railroad
labor board to reduce wages or appeal
to congress for legislation to meet the
situation caused by the voluntary rate
reductions. sI
The railway executives in the confer
cncc included r. Dewitt Cuyler, repre-
senting railway securities holders or
ganization; Samuel Kea. president Of
Smith of the New York Central: Presi-
dent Holden Of the Burlington system.
and julius kruttschnitt, chairman of
the Southern Pacific.
.'The railway executives said Sen
ator Cummins. after the conference.
feel that the only substantial way to
reduce rates is to reduce wages. They
also feeel that the wage fixing func-
tions of the railroad labor board should
H. ,.fn ~
mcrce commission, which has the rate
making or return power"
Senator Cummins said he did not
gather that the railway executives fa-
vored complete abolishment of the la
Dor board. but believed that the same
federal authority which establishes rail
road rates or returns, should also
have power to establish wages. This
would require amendment by congress
"a transportation act--and may be
brought up later. after the Chicago |
conference.
Call In Shippers.
The railway executives at Chicago |
the senator said he understood, would |
''call in representatives Of agricultural |
shippers. commercial and of other Or |
ganizaticns" to discuss the rate and
wage questions. The carriers, he
said. would probably seek the support |
of these interests in the event they |
should agree to reduce freight rates
universally and appeal to the Labor
board for wage reductions and to the
Interstate Commerce commission for !
rate adjustments.
Reduction of passenger rates is not
contemplated at this time, in the
opinion of Senator Cummins. who ex-
planned that the pressing immediate
concern for agricultural and other
industries was freight rate reductions.
This sentiment was expressed at
Saturday nights meeting of the SEN
ate agricultural bloc. Proposals for
calling up the matter in the senate
soon were said to have general en-
dorsement among the bloc.
Other Questions.
Several other questions were before
the bloc. but the rate reduction mat
ter was said to be predominant.
Among the major features of the agri-
cultural relief questions to be pressed,
senator's said, were the cooperative
marketing bill, representation for
agriculture on the federal reserve
board and Interstate Commrce com
mission and farmers personal credits
legislation.
Under discussion among members of
the agricultural bloc are proposals for
amendments to the railroad debt fund
ing bill, soon to come before the SEN
ate providing definitely for rate re- !,
ductions. The funding bill was not
discussed with the railway executives,
Senator Cummins said, but was con-
sidered bN the Interstate Commerce
commissioa for two hours with action
A~k !