Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1916-08-30

fused to admit tho circumstances to DO
what they have turned out TO be.
Having failed to bring the parties
10 this critical controversy to an ac-
commodatiGn, therefore, 1 turn to YOU
dcemihg II clearly our duty as public
servants to leave nothing undone that
we can do to safeguard the life and
interests OF the nation. In the spirit
OF such purpose. | earnestly recon-
mend the following Legislation:
First. immediate provision for tho
enlargement and administrative reor-
ganization OF the Interstate Commerce
commission along the lines embodied
In the bill recently passed by the House
OF Representatives and now awaiting
action by the Senate: in order that the
commission may be enabled to deal
win the many great and various duties
now devolvinE upon it with prompt
ness and thoroughness which arc with
It's present constitution and means of
action practically impossible
PUT EIGIT-HOUR DAY
on LEGAL BASIS
Second. the establishment of an
eight hour day as the legal basis alike
OF work and Of wages In the employ
rnent Of all Hallway employees who are
actually engaged in the work OF op-
Grating trains In Interstate TRANSPORT
tation
lhird. the au horiZatiOn of the APP
poih' hut by the PRECEDENT of a small
bodE Of men to observe the actual re-
suits in experience OF the adoption Of
the e!ght-hour day i'm railway trans
P'ftation alike for the men and for the
railroads. its effects in the matter of
operating costs. in the application OF
the existing practices and agreements
|" the new conditions and in all other
Z Ii
mat the investigators shall report their
conclusions 30 the Congress at the
earliest possible date but witbou,
recommendation as TO legislative nc
Ton: in order that the public may
learn from an unprecedented source inst
what actual Developments have ensued.
Fourth. explicit approval hv tn.
ongr"sS OF the consideration BY the
Interstate Commerce Commission of an
increase OF freight rates to meet such
additional expenditures bv the rail
roads as mag have been rendered nee.
+SsafE ny the adoption OF the eight
hnnr DAY, and which have not been
onset by administrative establishments
ana economies. should the facts dis
'iosed justify the increase
Fifth. an amendment Of the exist
ing Federal statute which provides for
the media ton. cancellation and arbitra-
ton Of such controversies as the pres
"ht ny adding to 1t a provision that
IN case the methods OF accommodation
now provided for should fail, a full
public investigation Of the merits OF
every such dispute shall he instituted
and completed before a strike or lock-
out may awfully he attempted
GIVE GOVERNMENT
RIGHT OF CONTROL
And. sixth. the Judgement in the
hands OF the executive of the mower
IN case of military necessity to take
control OF such portions and such roll
ing stock OF the railways of the coun-
Try as may be required for military use
and 10 operate them for military mr.
poses. with authority to draft into
military service OF the United States
such train crews and administrative
officials as the circumstances require
Tor their safe and efficient use.
This last suggestion / make be-
cause we cannot in any circumstances
suffer the nation to be hampered in
the essential matter OF national de-
Tense At the present moment cir
cumsiances render this duty particu-
larly obvious.
Almost the entire military force Of
the nation is stationed upon the Mex
lean border TO guard our territory
against hostile raids 1t must he sun
piled, and steadily supplied. with what