South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1916-12-08
Proposal to Suspend Strikes
Pending Investigation to
be Fought by the
Labor Group.
EXPECT PRESIDENT
TO WIN OUT TN TEST
Move Under Way to DepOSe
Sen. Owen As Leader of
Investigation of Cam
paign Expenses.
InternetionaI - -:


WASHINGTON, Dec. 8. - With
committees Of the house and SEN
ate beginning preliminary work on
Pres.t wilson's program Of railroad
legislation. lines were drawn today
for a bitter fight by organized labor
AGAINST the presidents proposal for
suspending strikes pending investi-
cation
Representatives of the labor
srrouD on the democratic side Of
the house headed by Reps. Heating
OF Colorado. and Lewis of Mary
land. declare that they Will refuse
fatty TO vote with the party II the
COMPULSORY investigation" plan rs
made a part of the railroad lesis-
lation. A caucus OF the labor
group among the democrats Will be
beld shortly 70 plan the fight against
the president
The compulsory Investigation
feature OF the presidents recon-
rnendatfons. which is modelled
after the industrial disputes act or
Canada. Will split both parties IN
the house. and undoubtedly VIII
nrecfpitate the bitterest legislative
struggle Of the present session OF
congress. The leaders OF the four
brotherhoods who forced the eight
hour day law through congress at
the close OF the last session, and
the officers Of the American Fed
Grafton of Labor. headed by Pres't
nit
labor group in the house 30 con-
duct the night.
Opposed 20 scheme.
Both organizations are on record
as violently opposed 20 the in
vestieation scheme. and their lead
ers saw they will he able 20 prevent
IFS enactment into law. If the
president really throws his infiu-
once behfrd il. however. there rs
little doubt that ne will be able TO
force the measure through both
houses.
Both house and senate interstate
commerce committees met today
for the first time this season. While
they had no definite measures for
CARRYING out the presidents plan
before them. both committees were
ready with tentative drafts drawn
bv various members
The senate committee had before
Il the bill increasing the interstate
commerce commission from sewers
10 nine members which has already
passed the house. No action is eX-
nected on this measure until the
entire program is framed.
MAY DepOse Owen.
Failure OF Sen. owen OF Okla
boua 10 introduce his resolution 20
probe the reported S1O.00o.O0O re-
publican campaign fund. started a
move among his democratic coll
leagues today TO depose him from
leadership in the proposed invesu-
cation OF the expenditures of the
last campaign.
Along with this move however,
came strong indications that the
threatened INVESTIGATION would be
dropped.
Sen. owen explained he was
simply withholding introduction of
the resolution for the time beinS "
but there was a growing belief he
never intended Co push the investi-
CATION
Reports we're current that Sen.
owens hesitation about ofcrne the
Investigation resolution was trade
for support Of his corrupt practices
bin bv republican senators He rs
anxious 20 get 20 a vote early next
week on that measure. and 20 push
the investigating resolution AS This
time would handicap early disposi-
tiou OF the bill.
Rep. Hastings OF oklahoma. has
ALREADY started the BAN rolling in
the house for "a campaign fund i'm
vesugation. but signs were dntavor-
able FOR early consideration of his
resolution.
HOUSE Take Day on.
The house took day of TODAY
10 wait for something to do With
no routine b-siness yet perfected hv
the committees. the leaders decided
10 adjourn over until tomorrow
when the vocational educational
hu urged by Pres't Wilson will bo
taken up.