Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1916-08-29

| committee the essential points In tho
protraeted negotiations he has con-
Quoted for TWO weeks with railroad
presidents and managers and the repre-
sentatives OF the brotherhoods.
The President reached the Senate
Toffice building u few minutes before
l o'clock. He WAS uShereu down one
OF the long corridors to commit
tee room where the committeeman
awaited him. Senator'S present We're
Kern, Of Indiana: Martin. Virginia:
Chamberlain. oregon: owen. Oklahoma,
O'Gorman, New York: Thomas. Colo
rado: Reed, Missouri; james. Kentucky.
and Williams, Mississippi The con-
ference continued for TWO hours and Il
half AS tho President left the COM
inittce room he passed 4 group Of news
paper correspondents and was about
to leave the building. lie turned sud-
denly, however. and summoned the
newspaper men.
Il Will have 10 tell YOU some time.
he said. land might just as we'll tell
you now, that | came here to-day to
consult with the steering committee OF
tho Senate aud TO set their advice on
my appearing before Congress on the
railroad situation. | have Just asked
their advice and my decision Will be
announced later
Senator Kern. chairman OF the COM
mittec, said the committee WAS i'll full
accord with the President regarding
the advisubility Of addressing Congress.
and that "A joint session would BIO
arranged to hear him either tomorrow
ov Wednesday.
Senator Thomas. OF Colorado. when
asked how long Congress might be de-
tained by the proposals said: III
everything proposed IL 10 be passed.
we will be hero until December"
UNDERTAKE FRAMING
OF GENERAL BILL
I'VE have undertaken the framing OF
a general bill" said Senator Newlands
Tonight regarding various phases OF
legislation that will be necessary TO
meet this railroad situation. In coH
fercnces begun to-day we reached no
conclusion except as 10 the general
scope Of legislation tina, will be re
CURED. The purpose Is to take us Il
basis FOR this legislation the bill to
enlarge the 1nterstate Commerce Corr
mission To meet tue emergency We
are considering also Legislation fixing
ALI eiSht-hour day Tor railroad enl-
ployccS: an increase IN revenue 10 the
railroads TO meet greater expense OF
operation due 10 adoption OF the eight
hour day. and amendment OF the exist
ing arbitration laws.
We are considering applying 70 the
arbitration law the Canadian principle
which would prohibit a strike or lock-
d
period OF sixty days following Z de-
cision il any controversy.
With reference TO the eiGht-hour
day there is being discussed the ad-
visibility of making Legislation pro-
vidinS for II effective at a tins far
enough in tho future to permit the
railroads 10 adjust their AFFAIRS lust
how all these things will b. worked
out finally We canno: say"
In addition 10 this proposed construc-
tive legislation. the President ana his
advisers also have under consideration
the problem OF Legislation in even, OF
strike 10 keep the railroads in opor-
alton The problem involved in leais-
Iattor TO insure operation of the rail
roads IN case OF Il strike" said Sena-
tor Ncwlands, lis how far Congress
shall go III authorizing tho Federal
government through the PreSiden, TO
act. This legislation will give the
President authority TO draft trains and
erat control The question is. snail
the President he authorized TO draft
trains merely for military necessity and
Inc trans portation OF the mails. or shall
We 3" farther and provide for their
operation for general commercial trans
portation. This is = grave question
that has not been determined"
opinion is divided in Congress- on
nearly all of the proposed cnactments
some Progressive Republican leaders
to-day said they doubted the wisdom!
Of cnactnr An eisht-hour railroad Law
n the midst OF a threatened Industrial
CRISIS ~ which tine aristocrats Of labor
attempt 10 dictate to the railroads
without regard TO the shippers anu the
public. They also expressed the be.
hc' mat compulsory arbitration rcNcr