Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1916-09-01
ACT OF CONGRESS
MAY STOP STRIKE
PRESIDENT RECOMMENDS EMER-
GENCY LEGISLATION TO MEET
SITUATION.

Enactment by Congress of legisla-
tion recommended by President Will
son in a special message delivered to
that body Tuesday will, it is hoped
and expected. prevent the threatened
railroad strike already called by the
brotherhood leaders to go into effect
next Monday, Labor Day.
Efforts of the president to effect a
temporary settlement of the differ
ences between the railroads and their
union employees having failed be-
cause of the attitude of the railroad
presidents, and a counter-proposal
made by the latter having been
turned down by the union leaders,
President Wilson went before con-
gress, reviewed the situation and
asked for legislation to meet the
emergency.
All the influence of the adminis-
tration has also been brought to bear
on the brotherhood officials to cancel
or postpone the order calling the
strike next Monday, pending action
by Congress. The union officials re-
piled that they had no power to re-
call the strike order unless "a salts
factory settlement" were reached, but
they let it be known, after a careful
study Of the legislation proposed by
the president, that it's enactment by
Saturday night would prevent the
strike.
Embargo on Freight.
Meanwhile, all the railroads of the
country are preparing for the strike
and have placed embargoes on all
freight which cannot reach its desti-
nation by Sunday night. These en-
barge orders were received Wednes-
day by the local agents Of the North
ern Pacific and O.-w. R. r.. q N.
Apparently the legislation which is
being counted upon to stay the broth
erhoods is that part of the presidents
program which would fix an eight
hour day for railroad employees en-
gagged in operating trains in interstate
commerce and provide for an investi-
cation of its effects by q commission
or board.
The tentative legislation proposed
contemplates:
Establishment of eight hours as
the standard for a days work for
railroad employees operating trains in
interstate commerce, and the appoint
ment by the president of a wage COM
mission of three members to observe
the administration and financial ef-
fects of the institution of the eight
hour day, the president to submit it's
recommendations to the interstate
commerce commission, which would
accept the findings unless clearly err
roneous, and adjust rates to insure a
fair return on invested capital; wages
of employees not to be reduced, for a
period to be determined, below the
present standard days wage, pending
the report, and pro rata proportion
to be paid for service in excess of
eight hours; the commission also to
study and report on the problem of
compensation for railroad employees.
Amend Arbitration Law.
Amendment of existing arbitration
law directing the board of mediation
and conciliation, if unable to induce
parties to submit controversies to ar
bitration, to refer differences to a
board for investigation, pending de-
cision Of which it would be unlawful
for employers to cause a lockout or
employees to cause strike; each
party to a controversy to name one
member of the board of investigation,
which would consist of three men,
bers.
Empowering the president, when
ever railways engaged in interstate
commerce or in transportation of the
mails shall cease to operate or be Sc
riously interrupted because of
strike. to direct operation of railroads
sufficient for military purposes; to
draft into federal service all persons
necessary and to use the military
forces Of the nation.