Imperial Valley press., 1916-12-05
President's s Message
Deals Extensively
With Railroad Case
RFC0NMENDS LEGISLATION To
PREVENT ANY INTERRUPTION
Of TRAFFIC DURING STRIKES

suits in experience of the adoption OF
the eight-hour day in railway transpor-
tation alike for the men and for the
railroads.
Fourth, explicit approval by Con-
gress of the consideration by the IN
tterstate Commerce Commission of an
Increase of freight rates to meet such
additional expenditures by the rail-
roads as may have been rendered
necessary by the adoption of the eight
hour day and which have not been off
set by administrative readjustments
and economies, should the facts dis
closed Justify the increase.
Fifth, an amendment of the exist
ire federal statute which provides for
the mediation, conciliation and arbi-
tration of such controversies as the
present by adding to it a provision
that, in case the methods of accom-
r.odation now provided for such fail,
full public investigation of the n1er-
its of every such dispute shall be in
stituted and completed before strike
or lockout may lawfully be attempt
ed.
And. sixth. the Judgement in the
in case Of military necessity, to take
control of such portions and such roll
ing stock of the railways of the coun-
try as may be required for military
use and to operate them for military
purposes, with authority to draft into
the military service of the United
states such trains crews and admin
istrativc officials as the circumstan-
ccs require for their safe and eff
cient use.
The second and third of these rec
concentrations Congress Immediately
acted on. 1t established the eight-hour
dav as the legal basis Of work and
wages in train service and it author
J lied the appointment of a commission
to observe and report upon the prac-
to al results, deeming these the meas
Iures most Immediately needed; but 1t
postponed action upon the other sug-
gestionS until an opportunity should
he offered for a more deliberate con-
.sideration of them. The fourth rec
.ommendation | do not deem it neces-
sary to renew. The power of the In
terstate Commerce Commission to
grant an increase of rates on the
ground referred to is indisputably clear
and a recommendation by Congress
seem to draw in question the scope
of the commissions authority or its
inclination to do justice when there
is no reason to doubt either.
The other suggeS eStions-the increase
in the Interstate Commerce Commits
sion's membership and in its facili-
ties for performing its manifold du-
ties. the provision for full public in
.vestigation and assessment of indus
trial disputes, and the grant to the
executive of the power to control and
= orerate the railway when necessary
in time of war or other like public
nc cessity--I now very earnestly re-
new.
The necessity for such Legislation
is manifest and pressing. Those who
: have entrusted me with the respon-
s;oility and duty of serving and safe
guarding them in such matters would
5 find it hard, l believe, to excuse 8
failure to act upon these grave mat
ters or any unnecessary postponement
of action upon them, .,,.., ......
Il Not only does the Interstate Com
e merce. Commission now find it prac
: tically impossible, with its presen
G memb mbership and organization, to per
J. form its great functions promptly anC
: thoroughly, but it is not unlikely tina
it may presently be found advisable t.
= add to its duties still others equal!
IL heavy and exacting. 1t must frs