The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1916-11-23
u. S. District Judge Renders
Decision Promptly to Aid In
Getting Early Adjudication
OTHER CASES WILL
COME UP TODAY
Government and Railroad At
torneys Are Dickering On
One Case to Push to Settle
All Points

Washington, Nov. 22.-Attorney-
General Gregory tonight authorized
the announcement that some other
case than the one decided in Kansas
City today viii be made the basis Of
the governments test of the consti-
tutionality OF the eight-hour law. 1t
is more than probable that the Santa
Fe and Union Pacihc cases. which are
to be argued In Kansas City tomor-
row. will be selected for the appeal
to the Supreme Court for final de-
cision.
The Adarson eight-hour law was
held unconstitutional today by Judge
William c. Hook in United States
District Court at Kansas City.
Judge Hook directed the receivers
of the NJ ssouri. Oklahoma and Gulf
Railroad. who brought the original
action in this case 10 enjoin the law
from going into effect to assist the
government in expediting the case TO
the Supreme Court OF the United
States for final decision ana instruct
ed their attorneys 10 invite the at
torneys OF every railroad in this coun-
try to participate in the hearings be-
fore the United States Supreme Court
Requested BY Government.
This was requested in the govern
iAtJli HLpksOA 10 GlstAASS lkiG luJuHt-
ton petition OF the railroad. the gov
eminent desiring TO avoid prolonged.
unnecessary and scattered litigation
that would he made necessary by the
hearing OF countless similar suits fled
by every rail system in every Federal
district In the United States through
which their lines run.
Neither the government nor the
railroads are satisfied with The points
! involved IN judge HOOKS decision In
the first place, the case was filed by
one OF the smaller roads. and In the
second place. this road 10 now oper-
ated under Federal receivership.
Furthermore. the question OF con
tracts between the railways and their
employees is much different In the big
railroad systems, and the railway law
yers desire to have the Supreme Court
decision rendered upon a case which
more nearly covers all the points at
issue than the case which was before
Judge Hooks court
Confer With Attorneys.
Attorney General Gregory spent the
greater part OF the day in conference
with attorneys representing three OF
the great railway systems-A. w
Harris. OF the New York Central;
and Chester Dawes. Of the Burlington
They were closeted with him all
morning. ard resumed their confer
ence In the afternoon. remaining with
him until nearly s o'clock This con-
ference was for the purpose OF seek
ing to reach an agreement as to which
particular case would be selected for
the test OF the laws constt,utionality
No agreement was reached, however
and the conference will be resumed
tomorrow,
The only point at issue said the
attorney general lis "a to which case
the railways VIII select for the test
We went over the cases In a general
way, but arrived at no conclusion. AZ
eoon as the attorneys FOR the railways
come 10 a decision as to which case
they will chose AS the one upon which
they will make their stand against
the law. the government Will be ready
to meet them. 1t is possible that We
can agree to their selection and as
sist in obtaining n speedy decision
from the Supreme Court"
The attorneygeneral expressed
himself A. confident that Il win b.
possible to have the Supreme couri
pass upon the constitutionality Of the