The Detroit times., 1916-12-06
Presidents Message
Answers the Charges Made
In the Late Campaign

The presidents message answers very
directly and very aptly the charge that
was made, during the campaign. that he
was actuated by selfish political motives
when he urged and secured the passage
of an eight hour law for railway train
men who were threatening to strike.
The election has been held and the
president has been reelected, so he can
no longer be regarded or pointed to by
political enemies as a vote-seeker.
Yet, in this message. he repeats the
program of settlement that he placed be-
fore congress in the closing hours of the
last session. He urges the adoption of its
recommendations upon which no action
was taken, but again includes those
sections upon which action was taken
and which resulted in the criticism that il
was done to win Wilson votes.
Whether or not by design, the presi-
dent establishes that he was prompted in
his original stand by no other considera-
tion than the greatest good 10 the great
est number and in spirit of small Cd
democracy for which his conduct of the
first Office in the land has been noted.
The president establishes that he acted
from conviction solely, and upon those
newspapers which assumed the role Of
bullies in their campaign attacks, he
serves notice that he has not been
bluffed from (which is more proof of
conviction.
The president has waited, indeed until
a time when a defense of his acts cannot
be ascribed to political ambition, to
couple the two recommendations which
received the favorable action Of congress
and show to the country that what was
sought by him at the time was simply
justice to both sides of a controversy
which threatened the country with indus
trial paralysis and exposed its people to
famine, want, untold suffering and, in
thousands upon thousands of cases,
death.
Placed side by side. as they were pre-
sented to congress, these recommenda-
tions that were acted upon favorably
show that the president was Just as de-
termined TO secure a square deal for capi-
tai as he was for labor.
That the helplessness of the country in
the face of the threatened strike of rail
way employees impressed itself lastingly
upon the president is manifest in his re-
peated recommendation TO congress that
workers engaged in an industry as im-
portant to the country's well-being and
very life rs is that Of the railroad indus
try. should submit their grievances to a
public hearing before leaving their posts
on strike.
This recommendation will not appeal
TO some foolish railroads. because it is
not the compulsory arbitration that some
foolish railroads have insisted upon, but
It WILL appeal, we believe, to the work
ingman's sense of justice and he will ac-
cept 1t, as he should, in the fair spirit in
which il is suggested.
The message is one Of few words call
ing for much action.
The president indicates by brevity and
the absence of any new suggestions that
he favors a cleaning-up of the legislative
slate before adjournment
The high cost of living is not touched
upon. but will be, unquestionaby, in a
later message.
At is a matter the president most GER
tainly has not been able to overlook and
one that congress most certainly must
give attention
The matter of bread and potatoes for a
country is one that will permit Of no
trifling
II isedoubtful If there is single mat
tar before congress quite SO important