The Washington herald., 1916-09-26
Mr.. Wilson Defends Adamson Law.

4
attacks that have been made on this law by Mr..
Hughes. The speech bears the earmsrks OF
careful preparation, and probably was intended
for the foundation of number of addresses that
Mr.. Wilson will deliver as the campaign pro-
crosses.
The speech, however, contains little more than
Ia foundation for more extended and detailed
defense of the so-called eight-hour law. The
address contains mention of number of vital
points involved in this issue. In view of the fact
that the issue has become paramount, for the
time being at least, it may be assumed that Mr..
Wilson intends to supplement the Shadow Lawn
address with numerous utterances on the subject.
The most important features of the speech
may be found in the following extracts:
l do not regard the question of the principle
OF the eight-hour day as arbitrable.
We believe in the eight-houT day because
man man does better work within eight hours than he
does within more extended day.
The whole theory of it, theory which is sus-
tanned now by abundant experience, is that his
efficiency is increased, his spirit in his work is
improved and the whole moral and physical
vigor of the man added to-.
This is longer conjectural Wherever it
has been tried it has been demonstrated. The
judgment of society the vote Of every legislature
that has voted upon 1t, is verdict IN favor OF
the eght-hour day
as was concerned in it, that the whole temper
of the legislative body of the United States was
in favor of the eight-hour day
The real problem of capital and labor is to
bring the two sides to understand and believe in
one another The problem of the next genera
tion if America is really to release her energy is
to be this real, genuine: fundamental, reconcia-
tion between capital and labor
If can make a believe in me, know that
am just know that l want to share the profits
Of success with him, can get ten times much
out Of him as if he thought l were his antagonist
and his labor is cheap at any price.
That is the human side of it and the human
side extends to the conception that that laborng
man is partner of his employer.
From these words it will be seen that the
tire address is based on the justice of the eight
hour day. In fact, Mr.. Wilson seeks to prove
that his action right because the eight-hour
day is right. But Mr.. Hughes declares that the
Adamson law does not provide for eight-hour
day. He declares that the so-called eight-hour
law is in reality increased pay law. Railroad
executives support Mr. Hughes in this assertion,
and even the trainmen admit that the law will not
reduce their working day to eight hours, but
will serve only to increase their pay.
Mr.. Wilson undoubtedly will hnd many sup
porters in his assertion that the eight-hour law is
just, but perhaps few will agree with him that
law increasing the pay of the highest paid class
of railroad employees is just Mr. Wilson says
that he does not consider the eight-hour day as
arbitrable. Assuming that this is true, Mr.. Will
son still must explain whether he considers
increase in pay for trainmen arbtrabe. In
arguing the fairness of the eight-hour day and
ignoring the fact that the law passed by Con-
gress does not make possible eight-hour day.
Mr.. Wilson has passed over of the most i'm
portant phases of the issue
I'VE believe in the eght-hour day because
man does better work within eight hours than he
does within more extended day" says the Pres
ident. 1t is fact that large number of persons
50, sbs-a ~;
son, however, believes that man produces the
best results for himself and his employer in the
ten-hour day. Mr. Edison's belief shows at least,
that the question is open to debate, for the in
ventor is expert in scientific management, has
deep sympathy for the working class, and has
had real, practical experience in the shop.
Mr. Wilson says "I learned before the con-
troversy began, so far as I was concerned in it.
that the whole temper of the legislative body of
the United States was in favor of the eight-hour
day" Mr.. Wilson offers not one word of proof
for this declaration. He does not even reveal
the source of his information 1t is probable that
he was misinformed. But granting that the
whole temper" of Congress in favor of the
eight-hour day, it does not necessarily follow
that the whole temper of that body was in
favor of an increase in the pay Of trainmen.
Mr. Wilson says: THE real problem of capi-
tai and labor is to bring the two sides to under
stand and believe in one another" This is indis-
putsbly truth That the best way to bring the
two sides to understand and believe in one an
other is through arbitration also is generally
recognized a truth. The Republicans charge
that the greatest blow delivered to arbitra-
ton was when President Wilson shelved it in
the railroad fight, and it is difficult to find in Mr.
! Wilson's address any explanation of how he has
taken step forward in solving what he believes
to be the real problem of capital and labor.
There some who take the view that Mr.
Wilson had the greatest opportunity of a decade
in the railroad fight to advance the cause of arbi-
tration. But he admits that he started the con-
ference with the railroad executives and en-
ployes with announcement that he stood for
the eight-hour day By making this announce
nent the President practically made arbitration
impossible.
In his speeches condemning the Adamson law