Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1916-08-31

supplies, the whole commerce OF the
nation paraIyzed, men of every sort
and occupation thrown out OF employ.
ment.
Wilson AZ Spokesman.
Just 80 soon as it became evident
that mediation under the existing law
had failed and that arbitration had
been rendered impossible by the atti-
tude of the men," the president said,
Il considered it my duty to confer
with the representatives of both the
railways and the brotherhoods and my.
self offer mediation, not as an arbitra-
ter but merely as spokesman Of the
nation, in the interest OF justice. In.
deed. and as friend Of both parties
and not as Judge. only as the repre-
sentative Of 100,000,00O men, women
and children who would pay the price,
the incalculable price of loss and suf-
fering
Subject Of Arbitration.
1.-THE widespread effect upon the in.
dustries Of the country as whole la
beyond measure or appraisement.
The questions involved are In our
respectful judgment eminently suitable
for the calm investigation and deci-
sion by the public through the agency
OF fair arbitration. The railroads OF
the country can not assume this enor.
nous increase In their expenses IT
would involve many in early financial
embarrassment and bankruptcy and
imperil the power Of all to maintain
their credit and the integrity Of their
securities"
1T seemed to me in considering the
subject matter of the controversy that
the whole spirit of the time and the
prepOnderant evidence of recent econ
om1c experience spoke for the eight
hour day 1t has been adjudged by
the thought and experience Of recent
years thing upon which society ia
justified in insisting as in the interest
Of health. efficiency, contentment and
a general increase Of economic vigor.
For Eight Hour Day.
a. therefore. proposed that the
eight hour day be adopted by the rail
way arrangements and put into prac-
tice for the present as substitute for
the existing ten hour basis of pay and
service: that should appoint, with the
permission Of the congress, small
commission to observe the results of
the change, carefully studying the fig.
ures of the altered operating costs, not
only, but also the conditions of labor
under which the men worked and the
operation of their existing agreements
with the railroads, with instructions TO
report the facts as they found them
to the congress at the earliest pos
sible day but without recommendation
and that after the facts had been thus
disclosed and adjustment should in
some orderly manner be sought OF all
the matters now left unadjusted be.
tween the railroad managers and the
men. .#f
These proposals were exactly in
line, it is interesting to note, with the
position taken by the supreme court
Of the United States when appealed to
to. protect certain litigants from the
inancial losses which they confidently
expected if they should submit to the
re gulation of their charges and Of their
methods of service by public legisla.
lation. r
President Wilson then told congress
how his efforts failed to bring the par
ties to the controversy to an accom-
mediation.
Therefore he said, 81 turn to you,
deeming it clearly our duty as public
we can do to safeguard the life and
interests Of the nation.
'In the spirit of such a purpose,
earnestly recommend the following
legislation:
First, immediate provision for the
enlargement and administrative reor-
ganization of the Interstate commerce
commission along the lines embodied
In the bill recently passed by the
house of representatives and now
awaiting action by the senate; in or
der that the commission may be enab!-
ed to deal with the many great and
various duties now devolving upon it
with promptness and thOroughness
which are with its present constitu-
ton and means of action practically
impossible.
Second. the establishment of an
eight hour day as the legal basis alike
OF work and Of wages In the employ
ment Of all railway employees who are
actually engaged in the work of oper-
ating trains in Interstate transporta-
ton.
Third, the authorization Of the ap-
pointment by the president of small
body Of men to observe the actual re-
suits in experience Of the adoption o.
the eight hour day In railway trans
portation alike for the men and for the
railroads; it's effects in the matter of
ope rating costs. in the application of
the existing practices and agreements
to the new conditions and in all other
practical aspects, with the provision
that the investigators shall report
their conclusions to the congress at the
earliest possible date but without rec.
ommendation as to legislative action.
in order that the public may learn from
unprejudiced sources just what actual
develOpm ents have ensued.
Fourth, explicit approval by the
congress of the consideration by the
interstate commerce commission Of an
increase Of freight rates to meet such
additional expenditures by the rail.
roads as may have been rendered nee
essary by the adoption Of the eight
hour day and which have not been off,
set by administrative establishments
and economies. should the facts dis
closed Justify the increase.