The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-09-01
TEXT OF ADAMSON
 BILL WHICH MAY
 AVERT BIG STRIKE

Washington, August 31.-The text of the Adamson bill which brotherhood leaders said tonight could avert the nationwide railway strike if enacted by Saturday night, is as follows:
 Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America, in Congress assembled:
 Section 1. That beginning December l, 1916 eight hours shall in contracts for labor and service be deemed days work and the measure or standard of a days work for the purpose of reckoning the compensation for services of all em- ployes who now are or may nerear,er be employed on any railroad which Is sub- ject to the provisions of the act of Feb ruary 1, 1887, An act to regulate com merce. as amended and who are now or may hereafter be actually engaged in any capacity in the operation of trains used for the transportation of persons or property on railroads, from any state or territory of the United States or the District of Columbia, to any o.ner state or territory of the United States or the District of Columbia, or from one place in territory to another place Tn the same territory. or from any place in the United States to an aoJacent for eign country. or from any place in the United States through a foreign country to any other place in the United States
 'Sec. 2. That the President shall ap- point commission of three which shall observe the operation and effects of the instie1tion of the eight-hour- standard work day as above defined and the facts and conditions affecting the relations be- tween such common carriers and employees during period of not less than SIX months nor more than nine months, in the discretion of the commission, and within 30 days thereafter such commits sion shall report it's findings to the President and Congress. That each member of the commissio created under the provisions of this act shall receive such compensation as may be fixed by the President. The sum of $25000, Or SC much thereof as may be necessary, be, and hereby is. appropriated out of any money in the United States treasury not otherwise appropriated, to be immediately available and to continue available until the close of the fiscal year ending June 30, 1917 for the necessary and proper expenses incurred in connection with the work of such commission, including salaries per diem, travelling expenses of members and such rent, furniture, fix lures and supplies, books. salaries and other necessary expenses, the same to be approved by the chairman of sad commission and audited by the proper ac- counting officers of the treasury
 Sec. 8. That pending the report of the commission. herein provided for, and for a period of 30 days thereafter, the com persaticn of railway employees subject .o this act for a standard eight-hour work day shall not be reduced below the pres ent standard days wage and for all necessary time in excess of eight hours such employees shall be paid at rate not less than the pro rata rate for such standard eight-hour work day.
 Sec. 4. That any person violating any provision of this act shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and upon conviction shall be fined not less than $10O and not more than $10C0. or imprisoned not to exces che year, or both.'