The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1916-09-05
Present Legislation Which
Averted Strike Is Only
Temporary in Its Effect
DEMOCRATIC PARTY
SEES IT'S SALVATION
Leaders Admit Solution of Crisis Is
Not Permanent, But Hold That
1t Is Better than ParaIyzed
Business
By HUGH w. ROBERTS

Washington, September Especially
Following the action of Congress in avert
ing through the enactment of legislation
favorable to the labor unions, the threat
ened strike of locomotive engineers and
conductors. opinion differs as to what the
effect on the political and Industrial sit
uation will be.
1t is admitted that the legislation eff
fected was OF only temporary character.
The problem with which the nation and
Congress were confronted will, at the ex-
plration of another nine months. rise
again to confront the nation and Con-
that feature of another session will be
debate on proposed permanent legisIa-
ton so to adjust ever-recurrent differ
ences regarding hours of labor and re-
Enumeration as to render industrial up
heavals practically impossible.
The economical problem has been put
gress has acted in such manner as to
postpone the final solution Congress, in
the future it is openly admitted, Will
legislate regarding the hours man may
work, the wages he must be paid; and
through legislation will establish the prin-
cple that without arbitration. or at least
lawful strike or lockout may be ordered.
THE POLITICAL EFFECT
What is the effect of the action Of
Congress on American politics or the
pending presidential campaign?
Democratic leaders declare that the
DEVIATION of the strike saved the demo-
cratic party. According to information
acquired by the representative OF The
Age Herald from local headquarters, a
strike, within 10 days after it's incep-
| ton, would have forced every factory.
every furnace and other notable Amer-
can business institution, to close its
doors within time limit of 10 days
would have. in other words. transformed
Unprecedented prosperity, democracy's
chief asset. into financial panic and in
dustrial ruin.
| In that event, democratic leaders de-
clare. the people. in the throes of hard
times. would have called for and demand
| ed a change in administration. Ac-
cording to their contention the saving
action of the President and a responsive
Congress will render the people not only
continuously grateful for prosperous
times, but appreciative of master mini
capable of averting not only international
but Industrial crises.
G. o. p. CONTENTION
At republican headquarters. the action
of Congress. with its happy result, Is
construed as another result of the Presi-
dents alleged desire for peace at any
price,
Republican leaders argue that Mr.. VII
son, confronted by grave problem.
solved it not through diplomacy, not
through a reasonable and fair investiga-
ton, but by forcing railroad employees 20
accept by law what they had termed
unjust and what they had plainly DEM
onstrated they would not of their own
vclition accept.
According to the republicans. peace AZ
a result of surrender to labor. stand
| ing with watch in hand demanding the
passage within a brief interval of time
of legislation entirely favorable to it,
cannot appeal to the American spirit Of
| justice or fair play and cannot in conse-
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