Evening star., 1926-05-09
NEW ATTACK OPENS
ION RAIL LABOR BILL
Foes Will Seek Vote to Re-
commit-Dispute Over
Coolidge's Stand.

BY the Associated Press.
A new line Of attack against the
railroad la Dor bill developed yester-
day in the form of motion to re-
commit the measure to the Senate
interstate commerce committee.
The full force of the opposition
will be thrown behind the motion
this week and early adjournment OF
the Senate for the week end was
taken to permit leaders to line up
their forces.
Adjournment followed closely upon
the statement during debate by SEN
atdr Watson, Republican, Indiana
sponsor of the bill, that President
Coolidge favored it. This was chai-
lenged by Senator Curtis, the Repuo-
lican leader, who is opposed TO the
bill unless 1t Is amended.
Asks for His Evidence.
"Has the Senator any evidence to
submit that the President sponsors
this bill?" he inquired. .u
"Oh, the Senator KNOWS IL wen
enough" replied Senator watson
II do not know it" retorted MI
Curtis.
Immediately after this colloquy
whisuered conferences were held,
with the result that an agreement
was reached to defer further con =
sideration OF the bill until tomorrow.
The bill was the target OF vlolen'
attack Yesterday at the hands oi sen
ators Curtis and King of utah, ana
Reed. Missouri. Democrats.
senator King declared the measure
was indorsed by only the stronger
and Weather railroads, and was OPP
posed by the smaller and weaker
lines.
TT will lead to bankruptcy OF the
smaller roads, and the Senate snouio
remember there is third party 'o
this agreement-the public, he added
When senator Reed said the bill
was opposed by a majority OF the
"operatin managers and favored
by the "fina ncisl managers. Senator
Watson retorted that IL was drawn
up by the workers and the carriers.
Refuses 10 BE Questioned.
The India ma Senator refused to he
questioned by Senator King. declar
ing he had no intention of being put
| on the witness stand and cross-ex
I.amined by another Senator.
"If the Senator wants to make a
speech. let him make ii. and ! will
answer IL want to-" he said, heat
edly.
Declaring the Senate interstat te
commerce committee had reported the
bill without giving the Independent
railroads an opportunity TO be heard
against il. c. y. Whitehead, presi.
dent of the Missouri, Kansas and
Texas Railroad. yesterday advised
Congress to assess both sides of the
case before making its decision.
The opponents OF this bill" he said
i'm statement. include all farm
organizations. practically all manu-
IA cturers' associa tions. represen entatives
of 500 900 railroad employees not mem
bers of the railroad brotherhoods. and
executives OF so per cent OF mileage
OF class railroads. -
Public Rights Stressed.
The bill. supported by the Associa-
ton aof Railway Executives and the
employee brotherhoods, would abolish
the Railroad Labor Board and sub.
stitute new method OF settling dis.
putes, Mr.. Whitehead declared, and
that under IL the public would be de
prived of q voice in railroad labor
controversies, an excessive burden
would be imposed on rate structures
the economic work now being done
by the labor board would be discon
tinued, and there would he no provi
sion against suspension of service
in case of a wage dispute.
In view OF what Is happening ir
England he said, our country can
! not afford to return railway labor dis
putes to the old mediation aysten
which has so signally failed in tn.