Pierre weekly free press. (Pierre, S.D.) 1889-19??, 1916-12-07
PRESIDENTS MESSAGE
ASKS NEW RAIL LA WIS

Washington. D. c., Dec. s.-President
WILSON'S address at he opening Of the
session of congress today was wholly
devoted to domestic subjects, prin-
clpally the 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 the custom he began at the
opening of his term, rea his address
from the clerks desk.
The president not only renewed his
recommendation for legislation to pre-
vent a nation wide railway strike or
lockout before there has been opportu-
nifty for investigation, but defended it
against the attack of organized labor
as nothing arbitrary or unjust and the
Ju%stlflable safeguarding by society of
life" '
ASIDE from recommendations for the
passage of the Porto Rico government
blll. the corrupt practices bill and the
Webb Dill to legalize American collec-
1--WE selling agencies abroad, he 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
sheraton by The Interstate Commerce
VI an increase IN freight
rates 10 meet additional expenditures
by the railroads caused by the opera
ton of the Adamson law.
Text of Message.
The presidents message in full fol-
lows:
Gentlemen of the Congress: In fulfilling
at this time the duty laid upon me by the
constitution of communicating to you
from time to time information of the state
VI l1e union and pcnmmanHi1 IN voJr
consideration such legislative measures as
may pc Judged necessary and eNpedient I
man continue the practice, which I hope
mas been acceptable to you, of leaving
to the reports of the several heads OF the
executive departments the elaboration of
me detailed needs of the public service
more general public policy with which 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
t rev as possible; but there were some
thlngS 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 imper-
atively necessary that the earliest posi-
BILE consideration ana action should be &C
corded the remaining measures OF the
which + had occasion to recommend to you
at the close of your last session in view
Of The public dangers disclosed by the un-
accommodated difficulties which then ex-
listed. and which still unhappily continue
to exist; between the railroads of the
country and their locomotive engineers
conductors, and tratnmen.
l then recommends:
First. Immediate provision for the en-
larging and administrative reorganization
OF the Interstate m commission
Gently passed by the House Of Representa-
tives and now awaiting action by the
Senate; in order that the commission may
be enabled to deal with the many great
and various duties now devolv1ng upon II
with a promptness and thoroughness
which are, with It's present constitution
and means Of action, practically fmpos,
sible.
Second, the establishment of an eight,
hour day as the legal basis alike Of wworI
railway employees who are actually en-
gagged in the work of operating trains II
Interstate transportation.
Third, the authorization Of the appoint
ment by the president OF a small body o.
men to observe the actual results IN eA
p%erience Of the adoption Of the ei gSiine 3n,
the men and for the railroads.
Fourth, explicit approval by the con
gress Of the Consideration by the inter
crease of freight rates to meet such adol
tional expenditures by the railroads a:
may have been render ho,, ne dey AIRY p Wb int
have not been offset by administrative re
adjustments and economies. should thu
facts diclosed justify the increase.
Fifth, an amendment of the existing TED
erai statute which provides for the lnedla
ton, conciliation, and arbitration OF suct
controversies as the present by addins
to it a provision that. in case the method
of accommodation now provided for shoult
fail, a full public Investigation Of tn
merits of every such dispute shall be IN
stituted and completed before a strike o
lockout may lawfully be attempted.
And, sixth. the Judgment in the hands Q
m the eTee necessi E, t to take Row Control re e Of sue Il
portions and such rolling stock of tn
railways of the country as may be re
them for military purposes, with authorit!
to draft into the military service of tn,
United States such train crews and ad
ministrative 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 eigh.-hour da;
train service and it authorized the ap
pointment Of a commission to observe an
report upon the practical results, deelnini
needed; but 1t postponed action upon tn
other suggestions until an opportunit:
eaogIa az 1ff Of the ror i more four aei1 recom
mendation I do not deem it necessary t
renew. The power Of the Interstate Com
merCe COMMISSION TO grant an increase o
rates on the ground referred to is indis
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 it
inclination to do Justice when there is n
reason to doubt either.
The other suggestions, the increase i
the Interstate commerce commission
membership and in Its facilities for per
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
in time, of war or other like public neces
sity-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.
From Life.