Carson City daily appeal. [volume] (Carson City, Nev.) 1907-1930, 1916-12-05
Presidents Message
Continued from Page One]

Fifth, An amendment of the ex-
listing feleral statutes which provides
Tor the mediation, Cancellation and
arbitration of such controversies as
the present by adding to it a provis-
ion that. in case the methods of ac-
commodation o provided for
should fail, a full public investigation
OF the merits of every such dispute
shall be instituted and completed be-
fore a strike or lockout may law
fully be attempted.
And Sixth, The Judgment in the
hands of the executive of the power.
in case of military necessity, to take
control Of such portions and such
rolling stock OF the railways of the
country as may be required for mill,
tary use and to operate them for mil
itary purposes, with authority to
draft into the military service of the
United States such train crews and
administrative officials as the cir
cumstances require for their safe and
efficient use.
The second and third Of these rec
concentrations the congress imme-
diately acted on: 1t established the
e%ight-hour day as the legal basis of
work and wages in train service and
it authorized the appointment Of a
commission to observe and report
upon practical~results, deeming these
the measures most Immediately need
ed; but it postponed action upon the
other suggestions until an opportuni-
ty should be offered for a more Ge,
libtrate consideration of them. The
fourth recommendation 1 do not
deem it necessary to renew. The
power OF the Interstate Commerce
commission to grant an increase OF
rates on the ground referred to is
indisputably clear and a recommend
alton by the congress with regard tc
such a matter might seem to draw
in question the scope of the commits
sion's authority or its inclination to
do Justice when there is no reason 70
doubt either.
The other suggestions-the in
crease in the Interstate Commerce
commissions membership and in its
facilities for performing its manifold
duties, the provision for full public
investigation and assessment of in
dustrial disputes, and the grant to
the executive of the power to control
and operate the railways when nee
essary in time Of war or other like
public necessity-I now very earn.
estly renew.
The necessity for such legislation
is manifest and pressing. Those
who have entrusted us with the re-
sponsibility and duty Of serving and
safeguarding them in such matters
would find it hard. l believe, to ex
cuse a failure to act upon these grave
matters or any unnecessary post
ponement of action upon them.
Not only does the Interstate Com
merce commission now find it prac-
tically impossible, with its present
membership and organization, to per-
form its great functions promptly
and thoroughly but it is not unlikely
hat it may presently be found ad-
visable to add to its duties still 9TH
ers equally heavy and exacting. 1t
must first be perfected as an admin
istrative instrument.
The country cannot and should not
I%eonsent to remain any longer ex-
posed to profound industrial disturb
ances for lack of additional means
of arbitration and Cancellation which
the congress can easily and prompt
ly supply. And all will agree that
there must be no doubt as to the
power of the executive to make inn
mediate and uninterrupted use of the
railroads for the concentration Of
the military forces of the nation
wherever they are needed and when
ever they are needed.
This is a program of regulation,
prevention and administrative eff
Cheney which argues its own case in
the mere statement of it. With re-
gard to one of its items. the increase
in the efficiency of the Interstate
Commerce commission, the house of
representatives has already acted; its
action needs only the concurrence OF
the senate. 49,.
I would hesitate to recommend.
and l dare say congress would hest
tate to act upon the suggestion