South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1916-09-27
La Toilette Defends
Adamson Eight-Hour
Ldw-Rdps Hughes

I claring that the eight hour law for
I railway trainmen has been much
misrepresented and that il saved
the business and the farmer from
| disaster. Sen. Robert n "a Toilette
! of Wisconsin. the only republican
! senator 20 vote for the law. is out
Monday in a signed editorial in the
/ September number of his magazine
defending the passage of the law.
I He endorses the sentiments ex-
pressed by Pres't Wilson before the
business men at Shadow Lawn on
Saturday.
Not Force BILL
Sen. la Toilette denies the eight
hour law was force bill'' as
Charles r. Hughes contends. He
says that the railroad employees
made their demands of the railroads
and not upon congress- and il was
only when strike became probable
that the president and congress
stepped in and averted the disaster.
The Wisconsin senator charges that
millions Of dollars were expended by
the railroads during the tendency of
their negotiations with the trainmen
in an effort TO influence sentiment
against the demands OF the train
men for an eight hour day.
These millions did not come from
the profits Of the railroads manag-
ers or the railroad owners" said
Sen. La Toilette. They come from
the funds of the treasures OF the
railroads. This campaign was con-
Quoted with money that really be-
lOnged 10 the people. The shippers
and passengers were made in the
last analysis 10 finance a publicit-
campaign 10 influence their own
judgment upon one side Of this great
question"
No Demand on Congress.
The senator says that the train
men had no such resources for
publicity campaign to shape public
opinion in their favor, nor did they
have the additional fiamboyant pla-
cards upon the walls Of waiting
rooms at railway stations TO inhu-
ence their case with the travelling
public.
This eight hour law has been
called a force bill. enacted under
the demands of organized railroad
trainmen." continued Sen. La Fol
lette. This is not true. The rail-
road employees demanded an eight
hour day from the railroads. not
from congress. They made no de-
mand whatever on congress- They
said if the railroads did not grant an
eight hour day they would quit
work. That was their right They
set a day to quit work in case the
railroad managers refused them the
eight hour day. Then the railroads
inaugurated strike against the
public. They refused TO accept
freight for shipment. especially per
ishable goods in many parts of the
country. This meant appalling dis
aster 10 farms, particularly to fruit
growers. It meant great damage to
all business. even 10 the railroads
themselves
The president sought TO adjust
the trouble and avoid the disaster
about 10 be thrust upon the coun-
try. He was not successful. The
railway managers were particularly
obstinate and refused 10 concede the
principle of the eight hour day.
Calls on Congress.
AT this point the president put
the matter up 10 congress for its
consideration. Congress. disinterest-
ed, and under law bound 10 consid-
er only the public good. was forced
10 act in the public interest. II was
not forced 10 act because of any de
mands upon congress by the work.
ingmen or by the railroads. but be
cause the public interest demanded
immediate action. It passed what is
known as the eight hour law for
men in the employment of railroads
in interstate commerce engaged In
moving trains. Every Wisconsin rep
resentative present voted for the bin
which became a law and averted the
strike. II is claimed that congress
acted without due consideration. Did
il? The question of the eight hour
day for skilled employees was not
new. Every congressman who was
alive to the issues of the day must
have beer fairly familiar with the
dI ullltIA1 pro ana con ull the SUD
jet OF the eight hour day"
Eight Hours Maximum.
Sen. 7 n Toilette says that when he
secured the Is hour limitation for
railroad employees he was met by
the same argument that is now be-
ing made again the eight hour day.
The railroads and some other large
employees are slow TO give in" said
the senator. but abundant expert
ence has shown that for the trades.
professions and crafts where skill.
courage, caution and close attention
are required the eight hour day is
the maximum for efficiency.
However, railroads generally use
no principle Of progress that Is not
forced upon them by legislation.
The dawn Of a better day would
never brighten the path OF work
men were il left 10 the railroad
managers. The railroad employees
have been patient and long suffer
ing, there's is a hazardous business.
Their labor IS performed under dan
gerous conditions"