The citizen-Republican. (Scotland, Bon Homme County, S.D.) 1???-19??, 1916-12-07

Washington. D. G.. Dec. 5.-president
Wilson's address at the opening of the
session Of congress today was wholly,
devoted to domestic subjects, prin-
cipally h problem Of railway legisla-
ton.
In the hall of the House with senators
and representatives assembled in joint
session. President Wilson. in accord
ance with h custom he began at the
opening of his term. read his address
from he's clerks desk.
The president not only renewed his
recommendation FOR legislation to pre-
vent a nation wide railway strike or
ockout before there has been opportu-
nifty for investigation, but defended it
against the attack of organized labor
as nothing arbitrary or unjust and the
Unsuitable safeguarding by society of
a necessary processes OF its very
life"
Aside from recommendations for the
passage of the Porto Rico government
bill, the corrupt practices bill and the
Webb bill to legalize American collec-
tive selling agencies abroad, the presi-
dents. address was devoted wholly to
the railroad situation. The only fea-
ture which had not been forecast was
the elimination of the proposal that
congress give explicit approval to con-
sideration by the Interstate Commerce
commission of an increase in freight
rates to meet additional expenditures
by the railroads caused by the opera
llon or n AdamSOn law.
Text of Message.
The presidents message in full fol-
lows:
at this time the duty laid upon me by the
constitution of communicating to YOU
from time to time information of the state
or the union and recommending to your
CONSIDERATION Sl1Cl IQpi ella tjvaE n q n r. Z ~ G
may be judged necessary and cxpedient L
shall continue the practice. which 1 hope
to the reports Of the several heads of the
executive departments the elaboration Of
the detailed needs Of the public service
and confine myself to those matters of
more general public policy with watch IT.
seems necessary and feasible to deal at
the present session of congress.
| realize the limitations Of time under
which you will necessarily act at this
session and shall make my suggestions as
few as possible: but there were some
things left undone at the last session
which there will now be time to complete
and which it seems necessary in the in
terest OF the public to do at once.
Railway Legislation.
In the first place. it seems to me inper-
atiyely necessary that the earliest posi-
BILE consideration and action should be ac-
corded the remaining measures of the
program of settlement and regulation
which had occasion to recommend to you
at thea close of your last session in view
of the public dangers disclosed by the ua-
accommodated difficulties which then ex-
listed, and which sill unhappily continue
to exist; between the railroads of the
country and their locomotive engineers.
conductors, and trainmen.
I then recommends:
First. immediate provision for the en-
larging and administrative reorganization
of the Interstate Commerce commission
along the lines embodied in the bill re-
Gently passed by the House Of Representa-
tives and now awaiting action by the
RI Sarlnt ia :. N nr.lars tho + tjnlnnT1 M iGCtnp ma
be enabled TO deal with the many great
and various duties now devolving upon it
which are. With its present constitution
and means of action, practically impos-
sible.
Second, the establishment Of an eight
hour day as the legal basis alike Of work
and of wages in the elnpicylnent OF I'll
railway epspicyes Who are actually en-
gagged in the YORK of operating trains i'll
Interstate transportation.
Third, the ailti'onization of the appoint
ment by the president OF a SINAI, body OF
men to observe the actual results in ex-
perience of the adoption OF the eight-9}o.a.
day in railway transportation alike fo1
the men and for the railroads.;
gress of the consideration by the Inter
state Commerce commission OF an in
crease of freight rates to meet such add
tional expenditures by. the railroads as
may have been rendered necessary by tfls
adoption of the eigat-hour day and wjlicf
have not been Offset by administrative re.
adjustments ard eccnorries, should the
facts diclosed Justify the increase.
Fifth, an amendment, Of the existing fed,
eral statute which provides for the medic
ton, conciliation. and arbitration of sacf
controversies as the present by ad.'it3e
to it a provision that, IN case the methods
of accommodation now provided for should
fail, a full public investigation of tn
merits Of every such dispute shall he in,
stituted and completed, before a strike o.
lockout may lawfully be attempted.
And, sixth, the lodgment in the hands o.
the executive Of the power, in case o
military necessity; to TAKE eon 1 t OF s, tSt
railways of the country as may be re
quired for military use and to operat'
them for military PURPOSES with authority
to draft into the military service of tn,
United States such train crews and ad
miniatrative officials as the circumstance
require for their safe and efficient use.
Problems Unsettled.
The second and third of these recon-
mendations the congress Immediately act
ed on; 1t established the eight-hour da.
train service and It authorized the ap
p%oinfInent of a commission to observe ant
report upon the practical results, deernini
these the measures most imnediatel.
needed; but 1t postponed action upon tn,
other suggestions until an opportunit,
should be Offered for a !, more aeliberat
mendation I do not deem 1T necessary t.
renew. The power of the Interstate Com
merce commission TO grant an increase o
putably clear and a recommendation b.
the congress with regard to such a mat
ter might seem to draw in question tn
scope Of the commissions authority or 1t
inclination to do Justice when there is n
reason to doubt either.
The other suggestions, the increase 1
the Interstate commerce commission
membership and in its facilities for per
forming it's manifold duties. the provfsio
for full public investigation and assess
ment Of Industrial disputes, and the gran
to the executive of the power to contrc
and operate the railways when necessar
Isl IT, Af Nrro~ nrEnffGy. 1flYoE rtIh1fo rn.ac
s1fy-I now very earnestly renew.
The necessity for such legislation is mar
fest and pressing. Those who nave er
trusted US with the responsibility and dut
Her Testimony.
dsE#s Trnpo Tjfo s =4l