The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1916-12-30
President Convinced Brother
hoods Seek Defeat Of Adam
son Legislation.
MEMS SINCERITY DOUBTED
Administration Informed Labor
Leaders Work to Delay
Congress.

with information before him that
the four railroad brotherhoods are en-
gagged in "a preconcerted, deliberate,
and. perhaps, thoroughly organized"
EFFORT to defeat his proposed railroad
legislation. President wiiso7, II was
stated today in Administration circles,
has passed tho word to his leaders in
Congress that this legislation must be
passed before March 4 or he will sum-
mon an extra session OF Congress.
In consequence OF this. these lead
srs are bestirring themselves in an
effort to obtain prompt action on the
measure Immediately after the hoIi-
day recess. An attempt will be made
to have the hearings on the measures
conducted as expeditiousiy as possible.
and to have the committees ready to
report before the end OF next month,
Close watch has been kept by the
Administration, Il was learned today,
on the conferences held In New York
this week between the representatives
81 the brotherhoods and the commit.
tee OF railroad managers concerning
an effort TO have the railroads In.
junction suit against the Adamson
eight'hour day law dismissed on the
basis of a compromise working ar.
rsngement.
Mems Sincerity Doubted.
The reports which have been re.
ceived in Washington, Il is stated.
have been calculated TO convince the
President that the brotherhoods were
not sincere in their efforts. Their
main purpose, the President has been
informed. has been todeiay Congress.
sionsi action by proionging the nogo.
tistions and making IL appear that
they were seeking an amicable ar.
rangcment TO prevent n strike. That
tho managers refused TO parley fur.
Their after last Thursday, the Wash.
ington Administration has been In.
formed. was duo TO a realisation on
their part that the representatives OF
the employees were not sincere.
Whether or not the Adamson act 10
sustained by tho Supreme Court. the
Administration has been informed, the
brotherhoods would be bitterly opposed
TO any law which would prevent them
from calling strikes IN tho future pend
ing an investigation Of matters In dis
pute.
II Il Ia held TO be unconstitutional. tho
brotherhoods leaders are said TO feel.
they will be no worse OF than they
were last August. when the strike call
was Issued. provided the compulsory In
vestigation bill Il not passed. The
present Federal Board OF Mediation and
Cancellations. In other words. would be
rs powerless as ever Go compel arbi-
iration. and the employees would still
he able Ia threaten a complete tie-up OF
the country's transportation system un-
less their demands were complied with.
seek To Retain Weapon.
on the other hand. the President
has been Informed, the brotherhood
leaders realize that ~ the Adamron
act IL held 20 be constitutional, there
would remain 90 be adjusted n mum
her OF questions concerning It's appli'
cation which the employees might have
difficulty I'm having adjusted their
own way unless they are able 90
threaten a walk-out. For example.
the railroad managers have been ad'
vised by their lawyers that IL che
Adamson act goes into effect they
would be privileged TO deal with their
employees only on the time basis, and
TO .disregard the mileage eonsidera'
tions that play such an important
part In the present wage agreements.
In other words they could require
their men to give a fun eight-hour
days work for eight hours pay. AT
present IL train crew completes a