The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1916-11-22
NO RAILROAD STRIKE
AT THIS TIME.

1t seems difficult alike for the pub
lie, the press and the railroad man
ayers to understand the relation OF
the railroad unions to the Adamson
law. The managers informed the men
that the suits filed would be prose
cuted during any negotiations. AS
Mr.. Stone says, they expected us to
argue about something that they did .
not concede to exist legally. They !
were surprised when informed that we
would not defend the suits, although |,
a chairman selected by the different
brotherhoods in each State will be
named as de PENDANT We told the
railroad managers the suits were
government matter and as such would
be properly defended by the govern
ment"
The Adamson law is law for the
investigation of working conditions as
to time and wages upon the railroads
of America. An experimental eight
hour day is to be put in operation.
observed by special commission.
That commission, after six months, is
to report to Congress the result of its
investigation Then Congress will
act upon the question of the eight
hour schedule, and the wages to be
paid under the new or the old sche.
dule.
The attack on the law therefore, is
an attack upon this method, adopted
by Congress, for securing full infor-
nation If the courts should decide
that Congress has no constitutional
right so to enlighten itself. the legis-
lative department of the government
will take some other consequently
shorter course-for the settlement
of the disagreement between the men
and the railroad employees
| The New York World quotes from
! President Lee of the brotherhood, to
, the effect that what the Supreme
Court does with the law-meaning
the Adamson LAWS no concern OF
ours. We have demanded fair work
ing hours and we are going to gel
them"
This. to the World, seems rather re
: bellious, but to us it seems a plair
statement of the situation. What the
Supreme Court does with the Adam
son law is of no concern to anybod.
except to Congress. If the courts de
eide that Congress. in this effort t
get practical knowledge of practice
matter. violates any constitutions
provision, Congress will readjust it
but it will not abandon its efforts
| secure fair working hours and fai
wages" for the employees without in
pairing the value of the property thes
"A men serve or without interrupting II
course of commerce through a strik
, Congress is here supreme. Thes
highways are national highways, al
they must be open and kept open. b
cause the public has greater intere
in them than the two parties to Il
pending controversy. What Mr.. Stol
SAYS and what Mr.. Lee. the preside
a of the railroad trainmen. says, is tn;
failing to get fair hours and reaso
IL able wages. they will strike; but tn
IL have not failed until Congress. viii
| meets the first Monday in Deeemb'
| confesses its inability, through law,
regulate the operation of the nation
| highways.
/ II seems quite clear that some RI
road managers. for some reason
other-stock jobbing reasons, politi
reasons. or selfish reasons, solel!
want strike. Some of them have
clared that they are sorry it did
come in September. Probably if
! had the congestion of traffic VIII
now prevails might have been char
to the men instead of being charg