The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1916-11-23
GREATEST LABOR
FIGHT IMPENDING
Eight Hour Law May Bring on
Nation Wide Struggle.
CAPITAL is WELL ORGANIZED

Rational Industrial Conference Board
Formed 70 Oppose Alliance Of Ameri-
can Federation of Labor With Four
Railway 6rotherhoods-eoar Repre-
sents Employers Of 100000.
y nation wide struggle between EN-.
!!oye!s and organized wage earners
over the eight hour day is impending.
IN alliance is being effected between
TIE four railway brotherhoods and the
American Federation of Labor to gain
in eight hour day for all classes of en-
,loyees.
On the other side announcement has
Just been made of the establishment
Of the national industrial conference
board. The membership Of this board
includes twelve national associations
Of industrial employers. comprising
more than $4,000 officials, who furnish
employment to about 100000 workers.
Approximately $S,OOO,0OO.OOO of cap
ital is said to be represented
The fundamental purpose of the
board. which was formed in New York
city at the annual convention of the
National Founders association, was
summed up by William 81. Barr of Buff
falo. president of the association. as
follows:
THE developments of the last year,
politically and industrially, emphasize
as never before the need of more COM
prehensive cooperative action in in
dustry"
Only One Phase of Big Fight.
The attack by the railroads against
the constitutionality Of the Adamson
bill providing an eight hour working
day for trainmen is only one phase Of
this far spread struggle. The fight
against the Adamson bill threatens to
be carried again to Washington. Broth
erhood leaders. who will testify before
the Newlands commission, will appeal
directly to President Wilson for assur-
ance that the Adamson law will be put
in operation on Jan. 1.
The commission appointed by Presi-
dent Wilson to investigate the opera
ton of the Adamson act is meeting in
New York city for several informal
sessions. The commission is composed
Of Major General George-W Goethals.
George Rublee and Edgar e. Clark.
Howard Elliott, president of the
New Haven railroad, announced that
suits for the New Haven against the
Adamson bill were to be instituted as
soon as the bills of complaint are print
ed. The New York Central, Erie and
Pennsylvania have already filed suits.
Brotherhoods and Federation Unite.
Coincident with the formation of the
industrial conference board to safe
guard the interests of industrial en-
ployers came the declaration from
Baltimore that the leaders of the four
railway brotherhoods had allied them
selves with the American Federation
Of Labor to wage q national fight for
the eight hour working day for all
classes of workers. The brotherhood
leaders. Warren S. Stone of the engi-
neers. A. B. Garretson of the con-
uuCLOlS, w. AcS VI Liz CAdlu"C
and w. S. Carter of the firemen, made
arrangements to address the conven-
ton of the A. F. of L. at Baltimore on
the principle of the eight hour day.
Samuel Gompers. president of the
Federation of Labor, commenting on
the injunction. suits, declared in Balti-
more that the eight hour law would
go into effect injunction or no injunc-
ton
The railroads are understood to be
preparing to ask Attorney General
Gregory for a stay Of thirty days aft
er Jan. 1, pending the outcome Of the
suits now filed. No offer has been
made by the railroads to settle the
question by one test case, and as the
attorney general has made no such
proposition to the railroads it is ex-
pected that the department will be
forced to contest each suit as it comes
up for hearing.
1t is extremely doubtful. even if the
case be expedited, that a final decision
| by the supreme court on the constitu-
| fonality of the act can be rendered be-
fore Jan. I. For this reason the rail-
roads are contemplating a petition for
4 thirty days stay.