East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current, 1916-12-05
CONTINUED from Page H.


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an Increase Of freight rates to meet
such additional expenditures by the
railroads as may have been rendered
necessary by the adoption OF the
eight hour day and which have not
been offset BY administrative read
tustments, should the facts disclosed
justify the increase
Fifth, an amendment of the exist.
ing federal statute which provides
for the mediation, concIlIation. and
and arbitration of such controversies
as the present by adding to it a pro.
Vision that, In case the methods Of
accommodation now provided for
ssould fail, full public investiga-
ton of the merits Of every such dis.
pute shall be instituted and complet.
ed before strike or lockout MAJ
lawfully be attempted
And, sixth, the lodgment in the
hands of the executive of the power
In case Of military necessity to take
control Of such portions ana sucb
rolling stock of the RAILWAYS NJ the
country as may be required for mill
itary use and to operate them for
military purposes with authority IN
dratt into the military service OF the
United States such train crews and
administrative officials as the cir.
eumstances require for their safe and
efficient use.
The second and third of these rec.
concentrations the congress immedi.
ately acted on; It established tbe
eight-hour day as the legal basis az
work and wages in train service and
It authorized the appointment ~ 4
commission to observe and report up-
on the practical results deeming
these the measures most immediateI,
needed; but it postponed action upon
the other suggestions until an opnor
tunity should be offered for a mora
deliberate consideration of them. The
lourth recommendation | do not deem
y necessary to renew. The power N
the interstate commerce commissions
20 grant an increase OF rates On ~
ground referred to is indisputa h,v
ciear and a recommendation by the
congress with regard to such a mat.
ler might seem TO draw in question
the scope Of the comission's author
ity or its inclination to do iustica
When there is no reason to doubt
either. "
The other suggestions-the increase
IN the interstate commerce commits.
SONS membership and in its facili.
tles for performing its manifold An.
'ies' the provision for full public in.
Vestigation and assessment of indps.
trlal disputes, and the grant to the
executive of the power to control and
operate the railway when necessarv
IN time of war or other like nubIic
new. e'S ie-
The necessity for such legislation
Is manifest and pressing. Those who
nave entrusted us with the RESPONSE
oliity and duty Of serving and safe.
guarding them In such matters would
llnd 1t hard, l believe. to excnse n
failure to act upon these graya mat
ters or any Unnecessary postponement
of action upon them.
Not only does the interstate com.
merce commission now find II nrac-
tically impossible, with its present
membership and organization to ner
form its great functions promptly
and thoroughly but it is not unlikely
that 1t may presently be found ad-
visable to add TO its duties stHl 9TH
ers equally heavy and exacting. It
must first be perfected as an admin
istrative instrument.
The country cannot and should not
consent TO remain any longer exposed
TO profound industrial disturbances
for lack of additional means OF ar
bitration and Cancellation which the
congress can easily and promptly sup
ply. And all will agree that there
must be no doubt as to the power Of