The Washington herald., 1916-09-04
Neither Side Wholly Satisfied
With Wilson's Railroad
Measure.

] +AN- SNN+sg AAAAO NOhAAeAOhf
according TO word reaching Wash
ington last night
Nobody seems to know the real
meaning of the law in its present
form and strict Interpretation of
the clause which specifies that eight
hours shall constitute a work day
for contract labor" is expected TO cause
trouble within a short time
The brotherhood leaders are OF the
opinion that Congress may have over.
stepped its constitutional authority in
liking wages. On the other hand ad-
ministratiOn leaders have been Informed
by the railway officials they will expect
the President TO keep his promLee OF leg
islaton looking to an increase in freight
Rates
President Wilson stopped at the Union
station here yesterday morning en- route
from Shadow Lawn, n. J., 70 HOdgenvfue,
Ky, long enough to sign the Adarnson
bill, which establishes an eight-hour day.
effective January ]. 1917 for union en-
pioyes on interstate railroads
The ceremony was performed in the
Presidents private car. the Federal. The
only witnesses were Mrs Wilson. John
/ Boiling, Mrs. Wilson's brother. and Ru-
dolph Forster, executive clerk at the
! White House. -Four pens were used in
signing the bill One each will be pre-
sented to the brotherhood chiefs at The
White House tomorrow.
On Way 10 Lincoln Celebration.
At 1919 o'clock. the President. accom-
panied by Mrs Wilson and Senator New
lands, Of the Interstate Commerce Com
mittee, continued the journey TO Ken
lucky where tomorrow he will accept on
behalf OF the government the humble
birthplace OF Abraham Lincoln The
President desired Senator NewIands 10
go along that they might discuss plans
for the enactment Of the remainder Of
the legislative program affecting rail-
roads
President Wilson is understood to feel
that he has placed himself under an obli-
cation to the railroad interests bv foro-
ing the eight-hour law on them Senator
Newlands planned to tell him that any
additional legislation on the subject could
not be taken up at this session. Senator
Newlands pointed out that the short ses-
sion which begins in December and end.
automatically in March will be very much
occupied with matters vital 20 the ad-
ministration. These include IN addition
TO appropriations, the immi rr1gson bill
corrupt practices, settlement Of the Co
iomoian treaty controversy and the Dan
fish treaty.
The Frogresstves, among whom Scra-
tors LaFollette. Borah. Cummins. Cspp
and Norris are prominent, will tight To
the end any move TO increase freight
rates or increase the membership OF the
interstate Commerce Commission.
Democrats Pe.simistfc.
The Democrats are not optimistic over
the outlook They consider that the
President is responsible for the present
situation which confronts Congress and
expect him TO suggest some way out OF
the uifhculty. An announcement Of some
definite plan is expected from the White
House as soon as the President returns
The brotherhood leaders did not express
desire to be present at the signing Of
the eight-hour bill. They were entireiS.
satisfied to have the President sffX his
signature on Sunday.
President Wilson directed Secretary
Forster to notify the brotherhood leaders
as soon as the bill was signed. Garrett
son comment at the time was:
l try to be good loser and do not
Ike to rub It in on the other fellow when
win All can say is that we are very
happy"
1t was learned that the brotherhood.
would have been satisfied to rescind the
strike order II Congress had passed the
eight-hOur law without attempting 10 fix
wages. The fact that Congress estsb-
lished precedent for an eight-hour day
is considered the big victory.
Elisha Lee. chairman OF the railway
managers committee. left Washington
Yesterday for his headquarters in Phils-
delph!a. He said he had not been sble
10 determine where the effect OF the
Adamson law would begin or where Il
would end. He added that he had been
unable 70 find anybody else who could
make heads or tails" out OF the meas
urc.
\. p. Thorn. attorney for the execu-
uves' advisory committee. said:
The larger issue Is whether or not the
II orderly process or government ran BE- OBJ
structed by the threats n caIsnities 20
tho general public by a few reopIe"
Th" advisory committee Of tho rail-
ways, ii was learned. will meet in New
4 nork at an early dat" 10 determine what
data and evidence will no submitted bv
them 10 the commission created by the
now law 10 make an Investigation and
report the effects Of the ciEht-hour dsy.
\ test Of the law VIII he matter for dis
cussion At the same time Tho railroad
representatives were much interested IN
the report that President Wilson had
been advised 10 abandon the remainder Of
his program
;, How Wilson signed BtII
Tho Adamson bill was not signed At tn.
, Union Station IN accordance with ary
pre-arranged plan. The train 10 which
, the private car was attached reached
| Washington at 7:l0 O'Clock. Secretary
, Forster was there to meet the party and
tell tho President the bill was at the
White House awaiting him.
Mr.. Forster was informed that IN.
President was stin sleeping. The secre-
tAry waited around awhile and fearing
there would be a serious delay. hurried
back to the White House, placed the bin
in his pocket and returned to the sta
tion.
: President Wilson was awake by TIM.
time and announced that he would sign
the measure as soon ae he had break
tasted. Later the President and Mrs.
Wilson and Mr.. Boiling took q motor
, rde, stopping for a few moments at the
White House. There he met Secretary
} Wilson, OF the Department Of Labor, who
offered congTst tulations over the outcome
OF the railroad controversy
= Yesterday the brotherhood leaders were
busy preparing a circular to be sent TO
. members This document will explain
the settlement OF the strike question, and
repeat the provisions OF the bill
The fifteen or so vice chsir1nen who re-
manned as representa- lives NJ the sela~f