Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1916-12-06

cordance 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 nation-wide railway strike OF
lockout before there has been oppor-
iunity for Investigation. but defended
1t against the attack OF organized
labor as nothing arbitrary OF unjust
aud the "justifab!c safeguarding by
society Of the necessary processes Of
i,s very life"
ONLY ONE EF:ATi RE THAT
HAD NOT Di:I;N FORCED
Aside from recommended tions for the
passage of the Porto Rico rovcrumcnt
BILL the corrupt practices bin ana the
Webb bill to legalize American coll
lective selling agencies abroad. the
Presidents address was devoted Who'll
ly to the railroad situation. The only
feature which had not been forecas:
was the elimination of the proposal
that Congress- give explicit approval
to consideration by the Interstate
Commerce Commission OF AN increase
in freight rates TO meet additional cx-
pcn,liturcs by the railroads caused by
the operation of the Adamsou law.
To-day. the President took the posi-
tion that the power OF the Iuier-
state Commerce Commission TO grant
an increase OF rates Oh the :, round
referred TO is indisputably clear and
II recommendation by the Congress
with regard TO such matter might
seem to draw In question the scope OF
the commissions authority or its in
c!ination to do justice when there is
no reason 10 douh, either
The other recomm endu lions the
railroad situation made in special
message during the last session. which
werc not put into law. were renewed
to-day. They include:
immediate provision for the enlarge
ment and administrative reorganization
Of the Interstate Commerce Commit ssion
along the lines embodied in the bill re-
Gently passed by the House of Repre-
scntatives and now awaiting action by
the Senate. in order that the commits
sion may be enabled to deal with the
rahN great and various duties now de-
vu! ,nE upon II with a promptncSs and
tho, oughness which are. with its pres
cnt constitution and means of action.
practically impossible.
IAN amendment of the existing Fed
eral statute. which provides for tho
m ,diation. Cancellation and arbitra-
tion OF such controversies as the pres
Ell by adding - il :. provision th,'
case tho methods of accommodation
now provided for should fail a full
public investigation OF the merits OF
"'''" shall he instituted
and completed before strike or lock-
OUT may lawfully he attempted.
The lodgmcnt in the hands OF the
executive of the power, in case OF mill
taiy necessity. TO take control OF such
portions of rolling stock Of the rail
ways of the country as may he re-
nuired for military use and to operate
them for military purposes. with au-
thority to draft into the military SER
vic, of the United states such train
crews and administrative officials as
inc circumstances may require for their
axe and efficient use.
'''>',Nrs 'O..HENntrIn>
FOR COMPULSORY INVESriG
The renewed recommendation for
compulsory investigation of labor dis
putes on railways before strikes or
iockouts arc allowed. which has
aroused the opposition Of the railroad
brotherhoods and Of the American
Federation of Labor. was defended i'm
the Presidents message. lie declared
Nc would hesitate 10 recommend "A law
which would force individual workmen
to continue in an employment which
they desired to leave. hut that no such
principle was involved in the suEges-
ton that the operation of the rail
ways of the country should not he
stopped by the concentrated action of
bodies of men until public. invcstiga-
ti"n for The benefits of the public has
been instituted.
" Us based upon the very different
principle" he continued. that the CON
action of powerful bodies of
men shall not be permitted To stop the
industrial processes of the na.ion-at
any rate. before the nation shall have
had an opportunity TO acnuaint itself
with the merits OF the case between
employee and employer time to form
It's opinion upon AN impartial statement
of the merits. and opportunity To con-
slider all practica bic mcans Of concilia
ton or arbitration. | can see nothing
Safeguarding by society OF the ucccs-
sary processes OF its very life. There
Is nothing arbitrary or unjust in 1t
unless it be arbitrarily and unjustly
done. II can, and should, be done with
Il full and scrupulous regard for the
interests and liberties of all concerned
as we'll as for the permanent interests
Of society Itself"
The message follows in full
OF the Congress:
In fulfilling at this time tho 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 CON
such Legislative measures as
may be Judged necessary and expe-
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