Montana labor news., 1935-06-27
CONGRESSMAN
COMMENTS

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mittee of the Whole House on the
State of the Union for the considera-
ton OF House Joint Resolution 2l9,
extending the effective period of the
Emergency Railroad transportation
Act, 1888.
Mr.. Monaghan Mr.. Chairman and
ladies and getlemen OF the Committee,
the urgent necessity for this legisla-
ton makes me hesitate eve to con-
sumo the time allowed me.
In 1888, when Franklin d. Roosevelt
was inaugurated President Of the U.
s., the vested interests, railroads, banks,
insurance companies, all forms OF bus
mess were willing to accept his leader
ship, and under that leadership bus
mess continued to increase and the peo-
pie continued TO become happier and
their condition more secure.
But just like all business, which is
usually acquisitive, they forgot the
benefits that Franklin D. Roosevelts
leadership brought them, and today
they vigorously oppose legislation de-
signed TO bring recovery.
| call attention to the fact that the
President sent a message to Congress
urging the enactment of House Joint
Resolution 219. For that reason, l hope
that the motion of the gentleman from
Ohio (Mr. Crosser) will be approved
to add section 2 which our committee
struck from the bill, providing that the
$500 mileage shall be paid by the rail
road companies. They are the ones to
benefit from the legislation, if it is
continued, and all the rules of logic,
reason, and justice they should be the
ones to pay for its continuance.
Mr.. Fraux; 1t is approved by the
Railroad Brotherhood?
Mr.. Monaghan Yes, Mr.. George
NJ. Harrison, president OF the Railway
Clerks and chairman OF the Railway
Executives Association, appeared be-
fore our committee and made a very
able statement in favor of the resolu-
ton.
Mr.. Griswold Does it appear at any
place in the hearing that while in 1920
there were in the employ of the rail
road 2,033,000 men, in 1929 there were
employed only 100000, a loss of 400,-
900, and further, that in this same year,
the railroads showed the greatest de-
crease in the cost OF operation, $1,322,-
100000, 20 per cent OF which was
brought about by reason of the reduc-
ton of the number Of employees.
Mr.. Monaghan | believe that point
was made by Mr.. Harrison when he
appeared before our committee.
Mr.. Dunn Of Pennsylvania Did /
understand the gentlemen to say that
the railroad employees are in favor Of
the bill in its present form?
Mr.. Monaghan Yes, and | believe
they want the committee amendment
rejected. That is. they want the rail-
roads to bear the burden of this bene-
fit which they get under this law.
Mr.. Dunn OF Pennsylvania And
some Member OF the House will present
that amendment?
MI. MOldBudl tSi Luz BGlllc-
mar from Ohio, (Mr. Crosser) will
present it. | hope the House will ac-
cept the amendment Of Mr.. Crosser,
because without it the law will be vir-
tually worthless, as there will not be
any money to operate it unless the
President sees fit to take the money
from the $4,880,0OO,OOO and then it
would be taken from worthy causes
perhaps for the promotion of emerg-
ency employment and relief.
Mr.. Dunn OF Pennsylvania ! just
want to say that I shall vote for what
ever the railroad employees want.
Mr.. Mapes: Mr.. Chairman, as far
as | am concerned my position on the
resolution can be stated in a very few
words. | am in favor of the continu-
ance of the law authorizing the Co.
ordinator of Railroads for another year
in view Of the present situation.