The Elbert County tribune., 1916-09-01
WILSON URGES
EIGHT-HOUR LAW
APPEALS DIRECTLY TO CONGRESS
TO AVERT CALAMITY THREAT
ENING UNITED STATES.
AMEND MEDIATION ACT
INTERSTATE COMMISSION TO
CONSIDER INCREASED COST
IN MAKING RATES.
western Newspaper Union New, Service.

Western Newspaper Union News Service
hington.-President Wilson laid
the railway strike situation before
Congress Aug. 20 in an address to
both houses assembled in joint ses-
sion. The President told of his eff
forts to bring the railroad managers
and the men into some sort of agree
ment and saying he was powerless to
do more, asked Congress to enact
legislation to deal with the situation.
Pointing out the distress and hard
ships which nationwide strike
would bring upon the country, the
President asked Congress to empower
him to draft into the service of the
United States the very managers and
men who have been unable to adjust
their differences so that the govern
ment may operate the railroads in
case of military necessity.
He proposed that Congress first en-
large the membership of the Inter
state Commerce Commission to equip
it to deal with larger situations.
Second, that an eighthour day be
established for all trainmen in inter.
state commerce.
Third, that a commission inyesti.
gate the effect of the eight-hour day.
Fourth, that the Interstate Com
merce Commission consider the in.
creased cost of the eight-hour day in
making rates.
Fifth, amend the mediation law to
prevent strikes or lockouts while in.
dustrial disputes are being investi-
gated.
Sixth, that the President be EN-.
powered to operate the railways in
case of military necessity.
How these recommendations are to
be carried out, President Wilson left
entirely in the hands OF Congress.
Just before the President went to
address Congress it became known
that the strike leaders had positively
called the strike for Labor day unless
a favorable settlement was reached
before. The committee of railway
presidents made a public statement
of their position, declining to accept
President Wilson's plan and giving
their reason.
They have thought 1t best" said
the President. referring to the rail
way managers, in his address to Con.
gress, that they should be forced to
yield, If they must yield, not by coun-
sci but by the suffering of the
country.
While my conferences with them
were in progress" the President con
tinued, when to all outward appear
ance those conferences had come to
standstill, the representatives of the
brotherhoods suddenly acted and set
the strike for the fourth of Septem-
ber."
Thus the President summarized his
efforts, and added:
But l could only propose. | could
not govern the will of others. who
took an entirely different view of the
circumstances of the case, who even
refused to admit the circumstances to
be what they have turned out to be-"
The four brotherhood heads were
guests of Speaker Clark in his gal
lery; other leaders of the men were
in other galleries and the railway
managers were scattered about.
Mrs. Wilson, accompanied by the
ambassador to Great Britain, Walter
Hines Page. and the ambassador to
France, William G.. Sharp, was In the
Presidents reserved space. Several
members of the cabinet and some jus
tices of the Supreme Court also were
present
The President was greeted with up
roarious cheers as he entered. He
began speaking at 2:33 o'clock. Speak
ing slowly and distinctly he outlined
the situation confronting the country
from the failure of the negotiations.
There was tense silence in the cham
ber as he began.
Applause greeted the Presidents
declaration that he regarded 1t as a
practical certainty" that the rail
roads would be ultimately obliged to
accept the eight-hour day by the con
certed action of organized labor,
backed by the favorable judgment of
society"