New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-09-02

to the consequences, said Senator DO
rah, taking issue with Senator Cum
minis on this point. Congress to-
night" declared Senator Borah. sis leg
islating without considering the facts,
because we are threatened with a ca
lamity, without giving us time TO exer-
else an opportunity to determine
whether it is right or not. They say:
you 20 on and legislate; we will de-
termine the right | think that is a
threat. Congress is not acting now
according to reason and judgment, but
according to the dictates from outside
this chamber"
81 do not believe" retorted Senator
Cummins, "that the brotherhoods are
attempting to coerce Congress. | am
not defending them in their declaration
of a strike. That is their business, and
they must take the consequences Of
their own action"
President Responsible.
ave are considering these things at
the demand or under the recommends
ton of the President. One Of his prop
ositions pleased the brotherh Gods, an
other pleased the railroads. But there
is only one way 10 prevent strike.
The brotherhood chiefs said the only
way was for them TO send their sub
ordinates a telegram stating satisfac-
tory conclusions reached. If the eight
hour law was passed they would send
that telegram, if not they could not
ana would not | am opposed to the
amendment without any regard to its
of our regulation of commerce among
tho states, il deprives 800, 900 men Of
the right TO bargain, IL takes away
from all unions all they have won for
years by contests and collective bar
gaining. also il would take from the
railroads all their independence. SEN
ator Cummins also warned the Senate
that the amendment approached moth
ing short Of government ownership.
Cannot Give Consent.
~ regret" continued he "that | can
not agree with my brothers on the
other side in what they belieev TO be
a worthy object. | want to avert a
strike. 1t is impossibel 70 picture il in
colors too lurid, but IL is utterly i'm
possible for me, having regard for my
conscience, my oath and my views OF
the outcome of legislation Of this
character 20 give my consent.
The bill shows by its title that It
has no intention of establishing an
eight-hour day 1t has a tendency 10
lengthen not to shorten hours. The
first section is the brassiest gold brick
ever rendered. Furthermore, all the
commission can do is to determine the
cost 70 the roads. One good accountant
in railroad Office could do that. The
only section OF the bill that is not
sham and pretense Is Section 3, which
given them ten hours pay for eight
hours work for a period Of ten or
eleven months"
No Minority Plan.
The Republican Senators in confer
ence this morning had agreed not to
attempt any hlibuster against the eight
hour legislation. Senators Cummins,
Brandagee, Weeks. Sterling, Nelson and
Borah, of the Interstate Commerce
Committee, decided not TO present any
minority plan, as the time was too
short
The Senate committee spent most Of
the night preparing the measure which
was introduced by Senator Newlands
at 2:30 o'clock this afternoon. The bill
was considerably longer than the
Adamson bill, then on it's way 70 pas
cage. IL also contained two sections
which stirred things Immediately after
the bill had been read. One Of these
provisions read as follows:
amy person who shall willfully de-
lay, obstruct or hinder the operations
Of trains mentioned in Section Of this
act shall be guilty Of q misdemeanor
and be punished by a fine not exceeding
$4,000 or imprisonment not exceeding
one year or both"
The other addition not included in
the House measure was regarded by
many as the most radical step that has
Been urged in Congress in many years
Senator Underwood, Of Alabama, was
rs sponsor.
Underwood's Radical Amendment.
This section, the last Of the bill, in
tended 20 take hold Of the situation at
the end Of the operation Of the tempo
Tary part Of the measure. read:
THAT the Interstate Commerce Com
mission shall have the power 20 tx the
hours Of labor and prescribe just and
reasonable wages for all employees Of
the railroads named in Section Of this
act The rate o. wages and the hours
Of labor provided for in this act shall
remain fixed for service and pay until
changed by the decision Of tie Inter
state Commerce Commission, which
within period Of not less than six nor
more than twelve months from the pas
sage Of this act shall determine what