The Washington times., 1916-11-17
Committee Of U. S. Body Re-
ports on Efforts in Eight
Hour Controversy.
NATIONAL COUNCIL MEETS
Congress Urged to Forbid Strike
Until Thorough lnvestiga-
ton Is Made.

The National Council OF the Chamber
OF Commerce, OF the United States, as
sembled at the Willard today to give
consideration to railroad problems fac
ing the country, including the railroad
labor problem, received a report this
morning of what had been done by he
railway committee Of the national cham
Der to prevent strike In the contro-
versy between the railroads and the
brotherhoods.
The report emphasizes what is said to
be the absolute consistency of the ma
tional chamber in advocating one REM
e edy. investigation nlye u by the Interstate
report recommending this remedy was
submitted to a referendum vote OF COM
mercial bodies In the country affiliated
with the national chamber. and was in
up to that date.
Failed to Get Hearing.
The committee report submitted today
brings out clearly the repeated and flu
tile attempts made by the National
Chamber committee to secure a hearing
ON Senate joint resolution las, urging
that the Interstate Commerce Commits
sion act. In accordance with the Cham
Der of Commerce OF the United States
referendum. In revealing steps taken to
deal impartially with all parties to the
controversy the fact is shown that
despite charges to the contrary the
National Chamber committee at the be-
ginning of the proceedings and later
sought conference with the four train
mems brotherhoods.
The personnel of the National Cham
Der committee on the railroad situation
was selected with care. Neither the
railroads nor the brotherhoods were
represented, as the work of the cham
Der was primarily in the interest of the
public, which would be the chief suf-
ferer BY strike.
The Committee.
Harry A. Wheeler. OF Chicago. was lite
chairman, Other members are Charles
Frederick Weed, a lawyer. president OF
the Boston chamber of commerce.
James Couzens. formerly president OF
the Detroit chamber of commerce and
noted philanthropist: Robert II. Down
man. OF New Orleans, president of the
National Lumber Manufa cturers Asso-
citation: Charles f. Faeth, vice presl.
dent Of the Kansas City Commercial
Club: DR.. Livingston Farrand, president
of the University of Colorado; Bishop
Thomas f. Gailor. of Memphis. chancel-
lor of the University of the South: G. a.
Johnson, formerly president OF the Madl-
Meredith. Of .Des Moines. publisher OF
Successful Farmingr and a director OF
the Chamber of Commerce OF the Uni
ted States; William Fellowes Morgan;
Association: a. J. Porter, of Niagara
Falls. president OF the Shredded Wheat
Company. and Oliver Wilson, master
OF the National Change, Peoria. Ill.
How Efforts Were Received.
Correspondence with the brotherhood
heads and the facts as to efforts Ia
get hearing before Senator Newlands
committee, both without results. are
gone into In detail to show the Ma
tionai chamber did what 1t could to
avert a grave strike situation. The
brotherhood leaders did not act on
tor Newands' committee did not give
the railroad committee OF the national
chamber more than a limited oppor'
tunity to present views August 80. G.
+. Weed. a member OF the special COM
mittee. then filed statement urging
Congress on behalf Of the natlona
chamber to do these thing:
Action That Is Asked.
ITO provide Immediately for a prompt
thorough and tmpa rtial investigation OF
all facts relevant to the present railroad
controversy.
ITO command the brotherhoods anC
the railroads to suspend all action II
the nature Of a strike or lock- out pend
ing such investigation.
mo facts are yet established on which
further action can be intelligently taken
THE rights of the public are para
mount
Equal justice ito all parties can b,
secured without industrial warfare.
THE supreme duty of Congress Is Il
protect the country from a disaster 70
which there can be no possible justifica
ton"
The report says the work OF the Ma
tional Chamber railroad committee II
not yet completed In fact. It has beer