The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1916-11-16
Struggle Centers on Legal Bout
Over S-HOur Law.
Employers of 100000 Organ
ize to Combat Unions.
UNCLE SAM into THE FRAY
Govt Prepares to Make Fight
for AdamSOn Law.
May Enjoin Railroads From In
terfering Thru Courts.

New York, Nov. 16.-Prospects or
the greatest industrial struggle in MS
tory were increasing today
The capital and labor situation arls-
iner from the railroads determination
to fight the Adamscn eight-hour law
was accentuatcd by formation OF
vast organization of employers to be
known as the National lndustrlal
Conference Board. This new pooy'
representing $S,000,00O,OOO capltai
and employing 100000 persons pro-
pose that industrial legislation shail
be watched more closely, that iegls-
lators shall be guided by public IN
formation and that favoritism to labor
shall be eliminated.
It will fight such measures as the
Adauison eight-hour law; and 1t oe-
lieyes that the election showed tnere
is no labor vote, and hence legislatures
he1 eafter need not curry IaVcr WIN
labor leaders as they claim mas peen
done in the past.
The significance of the new align
ment increased with receipt of word
in Baltimore dispatches That the
| brotherhoods will join to force the
eight-hour day in all industr1es--not
by legislation, but by the force OF Or
ganized labor.
arations for trying to prevent opera
| ton of the Adamsop law More suits'
| covering all lines and all industries,
will be subnitted to courts all over the
nation in the next ten days.
1t was apparent in railroad circles
today that the managers have virtu-
ally given up hope of coming to terms
with the brotherhood chiefs, altho
they said: THE latch string is out
| for the men and their representatives
| conferences
tjourned" Another meeting may be
called next week, however, it was said
| today.
one of the leading railroad man.
ayers said today he knows nothing
about a reported conference with the
president.
Believe Railroads Will Fail.
Washington, Nov. 16.-The admin
| istration is ready to start an agsres-
sive fight in behalf of the Adamson
law, now object of concerted attack by
most of the big railroads of the coun-
try, it was made clear today
Belief was expressed by high Off
cials the efforts TO enjoin the opera
| ton of the law would fail
| If the railroads tie up the enforce
ment of the Adamson act, the railroad
workers are expected to strike. 1T is
the view of some of the presidents
advisors that the courts would hold
/ the railroads responsible for interfer-
ence with interstate commerce n@sucf
case, and would compel them to abide
by the provisions of the act.
Law Only Temporary.
This belief is strengthened by the
admission claim that the Adamsor
law primarily is a measure designed
to obtain a thoro and scientific in
vestigation of facts on which to base
final legislation. 1t is to be effective
only six months, during the time OF
the investigation of the application OF
the eight-hour day. 1t can be extend
ed only thirty days at the request OF
the special commission appointed un.
der it.
By reason of the very nature of the
act, men are convinced efforts tt
entoin its operation will fail On the
other hand it is thought it may bs
possible to enjoin interference" b,
the railroads with interstate traffic. a:
labor leaders were enjoined in the
famous Pullman strike of twenty year,
ago.
1t appeared likely the government
would file a demurrer, claiming tn,
Adamson law constitutional in answel
to the railroads plea for an Injunction
restraining it's enforcement Thi
would result in a straight-away ffgh
on the constitutionality of the act ant
would serve more quickly to bring tn,
case before the supreme court.