Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1921-10-11
REDUCED RAIL RATES
. SEEN BY CU|MM|NS

WASHINGTON, Oct. S.-The rail.
rates voluntarily, and will then ash
the railway labor board to order ar
equivalent reduction in wages, Sen
ator Cummins, Iowa. predicted to-
night following a conference with {
committee of railroad presidents.
They will also ask congress tc
amend the railroad law by transfer
ring the duties Of the railway labor
board to the interstate commerce
commission, Mr.. Cummins predicted
This would put control of rates and
wages in the hands of the same
government authority.
The railroad executives, headed by
t. Dewitt Cuyler, asked Mr.. Cum
Minis advice, after they had con-
ferred with President Harding and
Secretary of Commerce Hoover. They
told Mr.. Harding they could not re-
duce rates unless assured operating
costs would be reduced.
THE executives realize that they
must reduce rates., Mr.. CunllnIhS
said.
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 all oth-
.er lndustrialS was freight rate re-
ductlons.
- This sentiment was expressed at
tonlght's meeting of the senate agrl-
( cultural bloc. Proposals for calling
I'D the matter in the senate soon
were said to have general indorse'
ment 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
features of the agricultural relief
program to be pressed, senators SAID,
were the xep-operative marketing bill.
representation for agriculture on
the federal reserve board and inter
state commerce commission, and
farmers personal credits legislation.
Under discussion among mem
bers of the agricultural bloc are pro
posals for amendments to the rail-
road debt funding bill, soon to come
before the senate, providing dell
nitely for rate reductions. The
funding bill was not discussed with
the railway executives today, Sena-
tor Cummins' said, but was consid-
cred by the interstate commerce
committee for two hours, with ac-
ton deferred until next Wednesday.
The question of allowance Of railroad
claims for 'inefficiency of labor"
during federal railroad operation was
the principal subject before the COM
, mtttee today, members insisting upon
amendment of the pending bill so as
to preclude definitely presentation
of such claims against the govern
ment.
+, The key to solution Of the unem-
ployed problem so far as the rail-
way industry is concerned is pas
sage fthe railroad funding bill in
the opinion of the association of rail-
way executives as presented today
to President Harding.
The executive committee OF the
association. he added by 7. Dewitt
Cuyler. as president. called at the
White House with Secretary Hoover
and told Mr.. Harding that enactment
Of the pending bill would place rail-
way finances on basis where ad-
ditional thousands could be employed
in the industry. No other steps.
contributing to the railroads share
towards relief of the unemployed
. situation.
Railway wages also were discussed
at the conference, the executives
telling the President that in their
opinion reduction in rates must
necessarily be followed by a seal
ing down of wage. They expressed
the opinion that these changes could
be accomplished without serious la
Dor difficulties.