The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1916-09-29
HUGHES DECLARES
It WAS NOT UP TO
HIM TO INTERFERE
Candidate Answers Inquiry
Why He Did Not Urge
Fillibuster Against
AdamsOn Law

Saratoga Springs, n. T., September q
Charles z. Hughes tonight told the re-
publican unofficial state convention here
why he had not urged republican SEN
ators to filibuster to the last ditch"
against the passage of the Adamson
eight-hour law, passed to avert the
threatened railroad strike. The nominee
declared he did not believe in filibuster-
ing, for one thing. and that IL the ma
jority in Congress had determined to pass
the bill. there was no reason whatever
why its passage should have been de-
lsyed by filibustering tactics.
1T (the administration acted with
swlftness," Mr.. Hughes said. "and it can
moi now cry that a republican candidate
1000 miles away should have saved it
from carrying out it's fixed determine
ton"
The nominee read to the convention
correspondence between Senator New
lands and Chairman Harry Wheeler of
the committee on the railroad situation
of the Chamber of Commerce of the
United States and President Wilson-none
of the letters was from the President,
but he was addressed in the correspon-
dence-to uphold his contention that 1900
firms and corporations in the country
had asked the President to take action
before the threatened strike situation be-
came acute. Mr.. Hughes also quoted an
Congress on the subject to support his
claim that the bill should not have been
passed.
A question asked by Richard Olney,
Secretary of State under President Cleve-
land, as to why Mr. Hughes had not
urged republican senators to filibuster
against the BILL was made the occasion
of Mr. Hughes declaration.
STATES OLNEY'S QUESTION
He said:
"a distinguished democrat, a former
secretary of state, Mr.. Olney, whom 1
have always admired and respected and
whose record presents a singular con-
trast to that of the present administra-
ton, springs to it's defense in it's hour of
trial. With his ability 1 assume he has
done the best that can be done.
HE says, referring to the recent rail-
road situation, that | object not to the
averted strike, but to the mode of it's
accomplishment to-wit: by the threat of
a strike within a time too short for due
consideration of necessary legislation. /
am not prepared to admit the necessity of
wage increases by law, but do object
in every fibre OF my being 10 legislation
T
of the executive to force. That is the
path of disaster. If the distinguished ex-
Secretary of State desires to take the ma
ton along that path / will not accom-
pany him.
"He asks why I did not urge % republic
an senators to filibuster to the last ditch.
Well, l do not believe in filibustering.
for one thing. If Congress, through its
majority, was determined to pass the bill,
action should be further delayed by fill
clustering. Arguments along this line
really come to this-that In some way
the administration should have been
saved from itself.
PRICE OF PEACE
he truth Is tIdl the executive Qt-
stroyed the moral strength of the situa-
ton when he threw up his hands, yield
ing the principle OF arbitration, and went
to Congress demanding the passage OF
the Adamson bill as the price of peace.
Congress, SO far as the situation was
concerned ratified the legislation. The
administration selected it's ground care
fully and with manifest view to partisan
expediency. In the closing days it acted
with swiftness and it cannot now cry
that a republican candidate thousand
miles away should have saved it from
carrying out it's fixed determination.
THE distinguished former Secretary OF
the judicial ermine and appeared in the
motley garb of an ordinary seeker for
office. / did doff the judicial ermine
and I submit to you that you know and
every American knows that it fell from
my shoulders unsullied."
The audience arose to its feet and
cheered loudly.
mo American need apologize for being
a candidate for office. least of all IT,
the nominee continued. II desired to re-
main on the bench. / had no desire to
return to politics. but there came a sum-
mons which no honorable man could re-
fuse. I did assume the garb, call it
motley or what you will, of a seeker OF
office, and I am now before the Ameri-
can people seeking the highest office in
it's gift For what purpose? Not that 1
covet power. but l do covet the oppor-
tunity if 1t is afforded to maintain Ameri-
can rights and American honor
Alcohol as Substitute
for Gasoline Discussed