Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1921-01-29
RvENrs OF A wEM

After an immense amount Of
WranEling the senate, by = vote of
4c TO So, has passed the Kenyon bill
providing for the regulation of the
packing industry. The general provi-
Aons OF the bill have often been de-
scribed. Combinations for tho fixing
Of prices are made punishable. Pack
INK companies are not to be permitted
to own or control s~tockyT,rds. The re-
sale OF live stock for redistribution In
order to prevent competition IL placed
under the ban. These arc some OF
tho prominent features OF the bill.
The measure has been vigorously op-
posed by tho great packing compan-
los on the ground that it is an unwar
rAnted interference with an essential
industry concerning which charges
Of practices injurious to the public
have not been sustained.
The inquiry into the coal industry
in connection with the consideration
of the Calder regulation bill has con-
tinued, and several representatives Of
the coal industry have been heard.
Without exception they oppose the
bill. One witness a few days ago
charged responsibility for high coal
prices TO unsatisfactory labor condi-
tions. He said that q few years ago,
under the presidency Of John Mitch
ell, coal miners as u rule carried out
their contracts, but that recently m
troll of labor conditions had passed
into the hands Of men Of another
type. and operators could no longer
rely on a satisfactory labor supply
no matter what agreements had been
made.
It is apparent that before long de-
cisions nus be made with reference
10 the matter Of wages for railroad
employees. Statements made by rep
resentatives OF the railway companies
say that on the present basis the roads
are not earning the six per cent
which is made by law the basis for
net earnings; that rates have been ad-
vanced as far as the public viii stand;
that working forces have been re-
duced as far as Is consistent with
safe operation: and that there re-
mains no method whereby operating
costs can be reduced other than by
the reduction Of wages. =
Et7eU Thn Nr,Avxv-~rS. SM~sW AHt -hfNh
provides increased import duties on
certain natural products as a tenn
porarX expedient has been before the
senate for some weeks. but no action
ON it has yet been taken. An EFFORT
was made to arrang for a vote next
Tuesday, but no agreement was
reached. In certain circles there is
talk of a filibuster against the bill,
but men opposed to the legislation
deny that they contemplate such a
step.
Hearings have also been continued
on the house bill providing for the
regulation Of grain and similar ex-
changes. A great deal OF testimony
has been taken all sorts Of opinion
being represented. Some surprise has
been expressed in Washington that al
though there has bee so much criti-
ctsrn OF the grain exchanges in Nom
partisan league circles no representa-
tive of the league has indicated any
desire to assist the committee in
reaching q conclusion on the various
features Of the bill.
Negotiations have been in progress
between representatives of the Ameri-
81 and Japanese governments with
reference to the rights of Japanese
in, this country. Something like a ren-
tattve agreement seem to have been
reached providing hat Japanese in
this country shall enjoy the same
property rights as those enjoyed by
other aliens. and making provision
70 the exclusion Of japanese immi-
grxnts under something more tangible
than the gentlements agreement which
has heen. in existence for SONS years.
The exclusion features are to apply
q tho sentimental United States and
Hawaii. but nor to the Philippines.
sS$Sss =
m property agreement, il It is
carried uili nudity the California
statute xeoentlys enacted denying the
Iapanesat the right TO acquire real es-
tsta AsthAt stale. In the california