Show ON 1 U Jm I N ROAD I Farmers and A A. F. F L. L Told fold Presidents President's nt's Mind 0 Open p en on R. R R. R Return By Associated Press Pres WASHINGTON Dec Dee 18 President 18 President I Wilsons Wilson's mind is still open on the question queston of returning the railroads to private control Secretary I told a a delegation representing union labor and some farmers' farmers organizations which called at the White House to present a letter asking the executive tt to d delay lay return of the roads for two years years This was the tho first authoritative expression ex expression expression ex- ex on the subject which had come from administration quarters since the president informed congress congress congress con con- gress last May that he planned to relinquish federal control by January 1 1 The president Mr Dir said would be glad to get the views of ot the labor and farmer representatives who Insisted that a fair test of ot government government government govern govern- ment operation in peacetime should be given VOTE VOTE NEAR IN SENATE While the delegation was at the White House the senate was speedIng speeding speeding speed- speed Ing up consideration of the Cummins railroad bill and apparently was nearing a final vote ote Under the measure the roads would be returned to their owners owners within thirty days after the bill became a law but there was no prospect that final enactment of any railroad legislation would be completed until well ell after the Christmas Christmas Christmas Christ Christ- mas holidays owing to differences between the senate and the house Before going to the White House the union leaders and farmers farmers' delegation delegation delegation dele dele- gation which included Samuel Gompers Gomp- Gomp ers of ot the American Federation of ot Labor and representatives of ot the railroad railroad rail rail- road brotherhoods called on Senator Cummins chairman of ot the senate interstate in interstate interstate in- in commerce committee and I asked that his bill be withdrawn lIe He Indicated that he would lay ay the re request request request re- re quest before the full committee URGE URGE- YEAR YEAR TWO TEST The letter from the labor and farmers farmers' farmers farmers' farm tarm- ers' ers delegations to the president said sad proponents of ot the Cummins bill claimed that the president planned to return the roads by January 1 I and that some legislation providing for such buch return must be enacted imme- imme We believe that this assertion isa Is a a. a great Injustice to you continued the letter As you vou doubtless know nn an overwhelming majority of ot the farmers and members of the AmerIcan American American Ameri Ameri- can Federation of ot Labor and the railroad railroad railroad rail rail- road brotherhoods as well as the gener gen- gen jeral er l public favor an extension of ot the i period of ot government operation or orthe the he railroads for at least two years in ln order that a fair Par test may be made mado of government operation and anda a plan may be be worked worl ed out for the ultimate disposal of oP the roads which w would uld be fair to all all interests inv in- in v BILLION N INCREASE IiI Director rector General Ii Hines nes and me members members mem mem- bers bets of tho the interstate commerce commission commission com com- mission have shown hown clearly that the ther r return turn of the railroads will involve an ann Increase n rease In n freight rates of ot close to toa toa a a billion dollars This Increase In rates according to the same authorities authorities authorities ties will be reflected d in an increase in cost of oL living of ot at least a year jear possibly The American people can not and Should not s stand and such an increase During Dring the day daj J J. J R Howard representing rep rep- resenting the American Farm But Burea Bureau Bu Bu- t rea eau reau federation made public a letter which he had sent to Senator Cummins Cummins Cummins Cum Cum- mins transmitting resolutions adopted b by the federation at Chicago last month demanding the early return of ot the railroads to private control under such conditions and regulations as will wIlI render adequate service at just and equitable rates Mr air Howard said the resolutions had been adopted unanimously SENATE ADOPTS AMENDMENTS The he senate tentatively accepted an amendment by Senator Jones n Re publican Washington ashington R designed to prevent present foreign owned railroads and ship lines from discriminating against American carriers by cutting cuttin their I rates on shipments to points within the United States Senator Jones explained that that- the amendment Nos was aimed specifically at certain Canadian Canadian Canadian Ca Ca- nadian railroads railroad over which because Jr f reduced rates much American goods good is shipped in bond through Canada to Pacific coast cities clUes of ot the thel l States and also at railroad ts ned ship lines Jines touching Alaskan ports p d By Y a a. vote of 25 2 to 20 the senate a adopted opted an by by Senator F eli Rep Republican New i N W- W Jerse Jerse Jerse Jer- Jer se se providing for a x revolving fund of Pf from which the government gov gO ov- ov could make loans for the re rehabilitation rehabilitation re- re habilitation of ot railroads upon their heir return to private ownership Another nother amendment adopted n was as b by Senator Sterling Republican Republic South Dakota to the labor provision which would give representation on the labor adjustment board to all railroad whether members of ot the brotherhoods or not The bill limited the board labor membership to the organized crafts |