The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1916-10-19
WAGE INCREASE NOT
PRINCIPAL FEATURE
ADAMSON MEASURE
Author of Eight-HOur Law
Spent Yesterday Here.
Discusses Bill and the
Political Situation

That the Adamson eight-hour law
which averted the threatened nationwide
railroad strike last month will not in
crease the wages of the men % per cent
was the declaration here yesterday by
Congressman w. C. Adamson of Georgia,
author of the measure. Mr.. Adamson de-
clared that some of the railway execu-
tives had attempted to lead the public
into believing this but that such a con-
tention was without any foundation.
The Georgia congressman commended
that the principal effect of the bill was
10 require the railroads to place the
regular run of 100 miles for freight trains
on an eight-hour basis instead of the
former system of 10 hours. That any
freight train should be able to make the
run in 10 hours was the contention of
Mr.. Adamson. In case there were de-
, lays, then the railroads should be re-
quired to pay the extra cost on the eight
hour basis.
Mr. Adamson was here yesterday to
visit his son, Reese Adamson, general
agent for the Ford Motor Car company
He was the guest of friends most of the
time and was shown over the city dur
ing the afternoon. He left shortly alter
midnight on the Southern train for
Georgia
There is nothing socialistic about the
so-called eight-hour bill,'' said it's author
last night. "It simply granted to the
railroad men their contention that the
run of 100 miles should be on an eight
hour basis instead of 10 hours as here
tofore. Over the eight-hour time, they
are to receive overtime. In spite of the
efforts of the railway executives to make
1t appear that the operations of the law
will increase wages % per cent such is
far from the case. This is merely an at
tempt to create sentiment in favor OF fur
Their rate increased.
There is absolutely nothing in the bill
unfair to anyone. AS is well known the
President has appointed, as provided for
in the measure, a commission of three
men who are to study for number OF
months the effects of the operations Of
this bill. In the meantime the railroads
are prevented from reducing wages below
the present existing scale, and they are
also prevented from making any reduc-
tions for period of 80 days after the
commission makes it's reports. Since the
people of the country know the men on
the commission which is headed by Cen
eral Goethals, they are certainly salts
fed that the findings of this body will
be correct and absolutely fair. IN acdi-
ton to this the commission has no power
to make recommendations or put any Or
ders into force.
at is merely an investigating body. In
other words they make a detailed study
of the law and it's effects and then re-
port their findings. That the President
and Congress will then be able to pro-
coed upon fair and just lines seems en-
tirely reasonable to suppose.
II find that the people of the south
are not generally as well versed in the
real purposes and effects of this bill
y as are people of the east and west.
OF course. this is due in large measure
to the fact that the proposition has
been made an issue in the campaign in
the doubtful states and the democrats
have taken the trouble to see that the
people understand the question. l find
that they do and that with the exception
OF certain large business interests, all
parties are satisfied"
PRESIDENT TO WIN
Mr.. Adamson has just completed tour
of a number of the doubtful states in
the north and east, where he made many
addresses for the administration. From
no. until the close of the campaign his
time will largely be taken up with adj
dr. esses in other more or less doubtful
states in the west That Wilson will win
is the unqualified opinion of Mr.. Adam
son.
"The President would win today and
every day he grows stronger, while Mr.
Hughes grows weaker" he said. Mr.
Hughes is on the defensive and he will
remain in that position until the cleo
ton. There is nothing wrong with the
record the democrats have made and
the republicans can get no ground on
which to make a good fight. Not only
will the President be reelected, but we
will retain a large majority in both
branches of Congress.
1.-The outlook as a whole is entirely
favorable and is growing more so each
day. There is absolutely no confidence
now among the republican leaders, who
are merely trying to whistle to keep up
their courage. They realize that Mr.
Hughes has not fired the enthusiasm of
the people as had been hoped and his