Forest City press. (Forest City, Potter County, D.T. [S.D.]) 1883-19??, 1916-12-06
PRESIDENTS MESSAGE
ASKS NEW RAIL LAWS

Washington, d. c., Dec. 5.-President
Wilson'S address at the 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. read 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
"justifiable safeguarding by society of
me necessary processes of it's very
life"
Aside from recommendations for the
passage of the Porto Rico government
bill. the corrupt practices bill and the
Webb bill to legaliZe American collec-
tive selling agencies abroad, the presi-
dents address was devoted wholly to
he railroad situation. The only fea-
ture which had not been forecast was
the elimination of the proposal that
congress give explicit approval to con-
slderation by he Interstate Commerce
commission of an increase in freight
rates to meet additional expenditures
py 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 thls time the duty laid upon me by the
constitution of communicating to you
from time to time information OF the state
OF the union and recommending TO your
consideration such legislative measures as
may, be judged necessary and expedient 1
snail continue the practice, which I hope
mas been acceptable to you. of leaving
10 the reports Of the several heads of the
executive departments the elaboration of
the detailed needs of the public service
alld conflne myself to those matters of
more general public policy With which it
seems necessary and feasible to deal at
the present session of congress-.
l realize the limitations Of time under
which you will necessarily act at this
Few as possible; but there We're some
things left undone at the last session
which there will now be time to complete
terest of the public to do at once.
Railway Legislation.
IN the first place. 1t seems to me imper-
atlveiy necessary that the earliest posi-
bic consideration and action should be ac-
corded the remaining measures of the
program OF settlement and regulation
which / had occasion to recommend to you
At the close of your last session In view
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 trainmen.
/ then recommend:
First, immediate provision for the en-
lafging and administrative reorganization
OF the Interstate Commerce commission
along the lines embodied in the bin re-
Gently passed by the House of Representa-
Senate; in order that the commission may
he enabled to deal with the many great
and various duties now dsvolving upon it
which are. with it's present constitution
sible.
Second, The establishment OF an eight
hour day as the legal basis alike of work
an" of wages in the employment Of all
--~Tav employees who are actually en-
Cages 81 the work of operating trains in
interstate transportation.
Th8d. the authorization of the appoint
lnelE by the president of a small body OF
fnstS 20 observe the actual results in ex-
Ro61ence of the adoption of the e%ight-hour
day In railway transportation alike for
the men and for the railroads.
20! Four tn explicit s]rproval by the CON
state commission of an in
crease of freight rates to meet such addi-
aional expenditures. by the railroads as
may have been rendered necessary by the
adoption of the eight-hour day and which
nave not been offset by administrative re-
adjustments and economies. should the
facts diclosed justify the increase.
Fifth. an amendment of the existing fed
eral statute which provides for the media
ton, Cancellation. and arbitration of such
Controversies as the present by adding
to- 1t a provision that, in case the methods
Of accommodation now provided for should
fa H.. a fun public INVESTIGATION Of he
stituted and completed before a strike or
And. sixth. the Judgment In the hands of
the executive of the power. i'm case of
military necessity. to take control of such
portions and such rolling stock of the
of the country as may be re-
CURED for military use and to operate
them for military purposes. with authority
to draft into the military service of the
ministratfve officials as the circumstances
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 eight-hour day
train service and it authorized the an
polntment of a commission to observe and
report upon the practical results. deeming
I naes the measures most Immediately
other suggestions until an opportunity
should be offered for a more deliberate
consideration of them. The fourth recon-
mehoatlon DO not deem it necessary to
renew. Inc power Of the Interstate Com
merce commission to grant an increase of
rates on the ground referred to is indis-
putab'y clear and a recommendation nv
the congress with regard to such a mat
ter might seem to draw in question the
scope Of the commissions authority or it's
inclination to do Justice when there is no
reason to doubt either.
me other suggestions, the increase in
VUe interstate commerce. anVv, -