The Washington herald., 1916-11-17
LABOR PREPARES
FOR BIC BATTLE
AGAINST CAPITAL
Employers Also Lay Plans to
Wage Finish Fight on
Eight-Hour Law.
WILSON MAY INTERFERE
President Declared to Contemplate
Calling Conference to
Avert Clash.

NaPAboI duo ldDOI WCIG DIOuS1t
face to face with what possibly may
be the greatest struggle in history of
the nation by Developments on both
sides yesterday in the contest over the
Adamson eisht-hour law.
Indications were last night that the
threatened strike of railway en-
ployes may be only one feature of
the battle. The American Federation
of Labor is making plans to espouse
the cause of the railway trainmen and
to make the eight-hour law universal
in its application to all forms of la
Dor. The National Founders Associa-
ton, representing $1,000 employers
of labor offered its support to the
railroads in their fight in the courts
on the Adamson measure.
Wilson May Call Conference.
- President Wilson, T. was declared in
high official circles, was seriously con-
templating calling another conference of
railroad heads and employees with a view
10 averting the strike threatened by the
railroad men,
1t is known that the President is deter
mined to so to any lengths within the
bound of authority to effect a settlement
rf the controversy and avoid a strike Of
tie workmen. A further conference. 1t Is
believed, would tend to bring the oppos-
ing factions nearer to peaceable settle
mint and afford a basis for final agree
Inent.
II it should be decided to call the con-
ference, it would be held before the con-
Nening of Congress for the short session.
This follows closely upon the semi-ofacial
announcement made Wednesday that the
\ ADMINISTRATION Is rlanDing to ask Con-
GTcss to make certalr changes in the
NGamson eignt-hour law, which Is now
the subject OF attack In the courts BY
more than a dozen Of the railway sys-
TENS. 1t is understood that one reEson
advanced for another conference is mat
it would enable the officials to gather
additional information on the subject,
which would be useful in drafting the
proposed changes in the law.
All Commissioners Here.
The presence in Washington of Gen.
George w. Goethals and George Rublee. !
who. with Commissioner Clark Of the In
terstate Commerce Commission, comprise
the commission appointed by the Presi-
den: IL StLdy the workings of the Adam
son act, has done much to strengthen
the belief that important steps are about
TO be taken by the SSSinistration to bring
the factions in the eight-hour controversy
into agreement. Gen. Goethals and Com
missioner Rublee were in conference yes
terCay with a number of officials in de-
partments closely allied to the work of
The Commi5siC?
Baltimore, Md, Nov 16-President Sam
ueI LiOmpeTs. of the American Federation |
OF a5Or, announced today. after receiv- |
.i'G kilograms from the presidents of the !
fOU. railroad brutherhoods, that the rep
IeSeEtativeS Of the railway employees will |
be ia Baltimore Monday or Tuesday and !
will address the American Federation !
convention.
I:y iElplcatiCr. Mr.. Gompers gave in |
tpryiewers to understand that labor is |
determined that the eight-hour law for |
trdinmen as passed by Congress shall |
stand.
In New York the National Industrial |
Conference Board" comprising employers |
OF approximately 100000 laborers, has !
been launched
To Seek Universal Law.
The formation of the Industrial confer /
ence-coming as 1t did on the heels of |
the railroads action in starting contests |
in, many States against the Adamson bill !
had the effect today Of making labor /
apprehensive. 1t was the chief subject |
Of discussion among the labor leaders. !
and il had the effect OF consolidating |
labors' determination to fight for a uni f!
yeTsai eight-hour day.
This was seen clearly In a resolution |
offered from the floor by Delegate An |
drew TIill. of Little Rock, Ark, asking |
the federation to take steps to secure a |
universal eight-hour day as a standard
work day for all mechanical industrial !
and mercantile establishments through |
cut the entire United States by legislative /!
enactment"
To repeated questions on various phases
Of the situation resulting from the recent |
unsatisfactory conference of the brother
hood heads and the railroad managers |
in New York, Mr.. Gompers would only |
repeat his statement-that the law IS
going into effect January /.
From this and from the great import !
ance which Is apparently attached by |
. Mr.. Gompers and other federation lead J
ers and delegates to the proposed visit |
leaders, 1t appears that the trainmen's |
representatives will, In Baltimore next |
week. issue their def to the railroads.
New York, Nov. 16.-Railroad OH /
cials today proceeded with their plans ,
TO attack the Adamson eight-hour law |
in the Federal courts.
H. Snowden Marshall. United States |
attorney for this district. suggested |
that the action of the roads in bring
ing a multitude Of suits all over the |
country Is unnecessary. He suggested |
that the railroad companies might by |
agreement with Attorney General
Gregory bring a single action. The
case then could be carried only to the
United States Supreme Court for final
adjudication.