The Twin Falls times. [volume] (Twin Falls, Idaho) 1905-1916, 1916-12-07
WILSON'S MESSAGE
BRIEF DOCUMENT
Continued From Page y

Of the country and their locomotive
engineers, conductors and trainmen.
l then recommend:
First, immediate provision for the
enlargement and administrative re-
organization of the interstate COM
merce commission along the lines en-
bodied in the bill recently passed by
the house of representatives and now
awaiting action by the senate; in
order that the commission may be en-
abled to deal with the many great and
various duties now devolving upon it
with a DrOmptness and thoroughness
which are, with its present constitu-
ton and means of action, practically
impossible
Second, the establishment of an
ei 5ht-hour day as the legal basis alike
Of work and of wages in the employ
ment of all railway employees who are
actually engaged in the work Of oper-
ating trains in interstate transporta-
ton.
Third, the authorization of the ap-
pointment by the president of a small
body of men to observe the actual re-
suits in experience of the adoption
of the eight-hour day in railway trans
the railroads
Fourth, explicit approval by the con-
gress of the consideration by the in
terstate commerce commission of an
increase of freight rates to meet such
additional expenditures by the rail
roads as may have been rendered nee
essary by the adoption of the eight
hour day and which have not been
offset by the administrative readjust-
ments ana economies, should the facts
disclosed justify the increase
Fifth an amendment of the existing
federal statute which provides for the
mediation controversies. and arbitra
ton of such controversies as the pres
ent by adding to it a provision that,
in case the methods of accommOda-
tion now provided for should fail. a
full public investigation of the merits
of every such dispute shall be institut-
ed and completed before a strike or
lockout may lawfully be attempted
And, sixth, the Judgment in the
hands of the executive of the power. in
case of military necessity, to take con-
troll of such portions and such roll
ing stock of the railways of the coun-
tr- as may be required for military
use and to operate them for military
purposes, with authority to draft into
the military service of the United
States such train crews and admins
trative officials as the circumstances
require for their safe and efficient
use
The second and third of these rec
concentrations the congress immedi-
ately acted on; it established the eight
hour day as the legal basis of work
and wages in train service and it gu
thorized the appointment of commits
sion to observe and report upon the
practical results, deeming these the
measures most Immediately needed;
but it postponed action upon the other
suggestions until an opportunity
should be offered for a more DELHI
crate consideration of them The
fourth recommendation l do not deem
it necessary to renew The power of
the interstate commerce commission
to grant an increase of rates on the
ground referred to is indisputably
clear and a recommendation by the
congress with regard to such a mat
ter might seem to draw in question
the scope of the commissions au-
thority or its inclination to do JUS
tice when there is no reason to doubt
either.
The other sugeestions-the increase
in the interstate commerce commits
sion's membership and in it's facilities
for performing its manifold duties,
the provision for full public investira-
tion and assessment of industrial dis
putes, and the grant to the executive
of the power to control and operate
the railways when necessary in time
of war or other like public necessity
| now very earnestly renew
The necessity for such legislation is
manifest md pressing Those who
have entrusted us with the RESPONSE
bility and duty of serving and safe
guarding them in such matters would
find it hard. I believe, to excuse a
failure to act upon these grave mat
ters or any unnecessary postpone
ment of action upon them.
Not only does the interstate com
merce commission now find it practi-
caily impossible. with its present
membership and organization, to per
form its great functions promptly and
thoroughly but it is not unlikely that
it may presently be found advisable
to add to its duties still others equal
~ heavy and exacting. It must first
be perfected as an administrative in
strument.
The country cannot and should not
consent TO remain any longer exposed
TO profound industrial disturbances
for lack of additional means of arbi-
tratiOn and colciliation which the con
gress can easily and promptly supply
And all will agree that there must
be no doubt as to the power of the
executive to make immediate and un-
interrupted use of the railroads fol
the concentration of the military fore
es of the nation wherever they are